Retire Well with the Ministers Match from NBUSA

Our vision at Nazarene Benefits USA is for every Nazarene minister to retire well. However, we have cause for concern, because studies indicate many of our pastors are financially unprepared. The most recent study indicates:

• 59% of lead/senior pastors are not actively saving,1

• 67% of their churches are not helping, and

• Most pastors cannot retire before age 73.

In response, NBUSA now offers an incentive for ministers and their churches to be more involved and better prepared. It’s called the Ministers Match. NBUSA will match contributions by eligible ministers and/ or their church (local effort) to their Nazarene 403(b) account when the church also pays at least 50% of their NBUSA Fund allocation. The greatest benefit to the local minister occurs when the church pays 100%.

This chart shows how the Ministers Match works for a lead pastor or full-time/full-livelihood associate who contributes $5,000 annually to their 403(b) account. If the church also pays 100% of its NBUSA Fund allocation, the pastor receives a match of $2,500 [50% of local effort 403(b) contributions]. As you can see, the amount of the Match is affected by both the amount of local effort and percentage of NBUSA Fund allocation paid.

NBUSA is looking forward to a better future for Nazarene pastors who can retire when they are ready rather than having to work additional years due to inadequate savings. This Ministers Match is our attempt to help, and we hope our churches will do the same, but the key to success depends largely on whether each pastor contributes regularly during their active years.

It’s important to note that Nazarene Benefits USA serves almost 17,000 active and retired ministers and other church employees with a variety of benefits like the Ministers Match, Basic Pension, life and disability insurance, and benevolence. These benefits are not possible without the faithful support of districts and churches that pay their NBUSA Fund allocation.

Learn more about the Ministers Match by visiting nbusa.org or contact us at benefits@nazarene.org or 888.888.4656.