The Corporation for the Relief of Widows/Widowers
and Children of Clergypersons of The Episcopal Church
in the State of New York
Like many of the early Episcopal Church entities, this Corporation was created by special legislation, in this case by crown charter in 1769, reincorporated in the State of New York after the Revolutionary War in 1787. The Corporation is governed by a body of 21 members who function as a Board of Directors. The Corporation’s practices and policies are specified in its By-Laws and Fundamental Laws. As with any corporate By-Laws, they can be amended and have been over the years to address current needs and conditions. The Fundamental Laws specify that any canonically resident clergyperson receiving annual compensation for such service to the Church that is at least equal to the “Hypothetical Minimum Compensation” as determined by The Church Pension Fund (“CPF”) for purposes of The Church Pension Fund Clergy Pension Plan as in effect at such time can become a Contributor to the Corporation’s trust fund. The Fundamental Laws also state how members qualify and how the beneficiaries, called Annuitants, are treated.
The Bishop of New York is ex officio the President of the Corporation and it has 10 lay and 10 clerical members. The members are a self-perpetuating body. The Corporation is statewide in its scope and there are members from each of the six Dioceses in the State of New York (Albany, Central New York, Long Island, Rochester, New York, and Western New York).
Contributors to the Corporation Trust Funds
A clergyperson can become a Contributor whose widow/widower and minor children become beneficiaries (“Annuitants” under the Fundamental Laws) at the time of his/her death. The clergyperson must (at the time of joining) be: a clergyperson of The Episcopal Church, in good standing, under the age of 65, canonically resident in any diocese within the State of New York, and employed in the State receiving annual compensation for such service to the Church at least equal to the “Hypothetical Minimum Compensation” as determined by The Church Pension Fund for purposes of The Church Pension Fund Clergy Pension Plan as in effect at such time. A Contributor then makes an annual contribution that secures an annuity for his/her widow/widower or minor children.
The annual contribution has been $18 for many years. After 25 years as a Contributor the contribution is, by Board approval, waived. Thus, a Contributor pays a maximum of $450 to the fund.
Annuitants
The Fundamental Laws provide that a one-time death benefit of $3,000 and an annuity of $300 is to be paid to widows/widowers of deceased Contributors. The Fundamental Laws also authorize the Corporation to pay a dividend to widows/widowers and minor children (and to adult children or their caretakers in cases of special need, as determined by the board). Each year the Corporation decides whether to pay a dividend in addition to the annuity. Because of the growth of the fund, the current dividend, approved by the board, to each Annuitant is $7,700 (2023). The total paid to every Annuitant in 2023 is thus: $8000.
and Children of Clergypersons of The Episcopal Church
in the State of New York
Like many of the early Episcopal Church entities, this Corporation was created by special legislation, in this case by crown charter in 1769, reincorporated in the State of New York after the Revolutionary War in 1787. The Corporation is governed by a body of 21 members who function as a Board of Directors. The Corporation’s practices and policies are specified in its By-Laws and Fundamental Laws. As with any corporate By-Laws, they can be amended and have been over the years to address current needs and conditions. The Fundamental Laws specify that any canonically resident clergyperson receiving annual compensation for such service to the Church that is at least equal to the “Hypothetical Minimum Compensation” as determined by The Church Pension Fund (“CPF”) for purposes of The Church Pension Fund Clergy Pension Plan as in effect at such time can become a Contributor to the Corporation’s trust fund. The Fundamental Laws also state how members qualify and how the beneficiaries, called Annuitants, are treated.
The Bishop of New York is ex officio the President of the Corporation and it has 10 lay and 10 clerical members. The members are a self-perpetuating body. The Corporation is statewide in its scope and there are members from each of the six Dioceses in the State of New York (Albany, Central New York, Long Island, Rochester, New York, and Western New York).
Contributors to the Corporation Trust Funds
A clergyperson can become a Contributor whose widow/widower and minor children become beneficiaries (“Annuitants” under the Fundamental Laws) at the time of his/her death. The clergyperson must (at the time of joining) be: a clergyperson of The Episcopal Church, in good standing, under the age of 65, canonically resident in any diocese within the State of New York, and employed in the State receiving annual compensation for such service to the Church at least equal to the “Hypothetical Minimum Compensation” as determined by The Church Pension Fund for purposes of The Church Pension Fund Clergy Pension Plan as in effect at such time. A Contributor then makes an annual contribution that secures an annuity for his/her widow/widower or minor children.
The annual contribution has been $18 for many years. After 25 years as a Contributor the contribution is, by Board approval, waived. Thus, a Contributor pays a maximum of $450 to the fund.
Annuitants
The Fundamental Laws provide that a one-time death benefit of $3,000 and an annuity of $300 is to be paid to widows/widowers of deceased Contributors. The Fundamental Laws also authorize the Corporation to pay a dividend to widows/widowers and minor children (and to adult children or their caretakers in cases of special need, as determined by the board). Each year the Corporation decides whether to pay a dividend in addition to the annuity. Because of the growth of the fund, the current dividend, approved by the board, to each Annuitant is $7,700 (2023). The total paid to every Annuitant in 2023 is thus: $8000.