Guide for Ministers of Word and Sacrament

I am an RCA minister and I want to enroll in the RCA 403(b) Retirement Program.  An RCA minister is eligible and required to participate in the Reformed Church in America 403(b) Retirement Program when serving an RCA church or institution.

In order for us to set up a Fidelity account we need some basic information. Please complete the Participant Information Form and return it to our office. For security reason, please return the form to us either by fax or mail. You will be enrolled in a retirement age target Fidelity Freedom Fund Class K which you may change once enrolled. Fidelity will contact the you with instructions on how to complete the enrollment process. RCA Retirement Services will notify the employer that the pastor is enrolled and you may begin making contributions. Also, the church/employer must have an RCA 403(b) Adoption Agreement on file. If not please complete the RCA 403b Adoption Agreement, using the Adoption Agreement Instructions, then return a copy to our office and keep the original on file.

Our fax number is: 833-627-7620
Email: retirement@rca.org

Mailing address:
Board of Benefits Services
Reformed Church in America
475 Riverside Dr, Suite 1606
New York, NY 10115

I am an RCA ordained minister and I want to enroll in the RCA 403(b) Retirement Program. 

An RCA ordained minister is eligible and required to participate in the Reformed Church in America 403(b) Retirement Program when serving an RCA church or institution.

In order for us to set up a Fidelity account, BOBS needs some basic information. Please complete the Participant Information Form and return it to our office. For security reasons, return the form to us either by fax or mail. You will be automatically enrolled in a retirement age target Fidelity Freedom Fund. Once enrolled, you will be able to change your investment options if you choose. Fidelity will contact you with instructions on how to complete the enrollment process (complete personal contact information, designate beneficiaries, elect salary deferral contributions, etc.). BOBS staff will notify your employer that you are enrolled and they can begin making contributions on your behalf. 

In addition, the church/employer must have an RCA 403(b) Adoption Agreement on file with BOBS. If the church needs to complete or update the RCA 403b Adoption Agreement, using the Adoption Agreement Instructions and submit a copy to our office. The church should maintain the original for their records.

I want to defer part of my salary to maximize my retirement readiness.

To defer part of your salary, you can access your account online at www.netbenefits.com/ to set up the salary deferral.

1. Log into your account
2. Click on the account balance.
3. Click the RCA 403(B) Quick Links drop down menu
4. Click “Contribution Amount”
5. Click “Contribution Amount and Catch-up Contributions”
6. Make your salary deferral contribution elections 
7. Click “Change Contribution Amount” 

Fidelity will transmit your salary deferral election to the BOBS office and we will report your election(s) to the church treasurer or payroll person.

I want to set up Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)/ direct deposit for my recurring retirement distributions. 

You may set up EFT to have your distributions directly deposited into your bank account by accessing your Fidelity account on NetBenefits at www.netbenefits.com/ or by contacting Fidelity at 800-343-0860. 

I am an RCA ordained minister who is at least 59.5 years of age but not yet retired. I would like to withdraw a portion of my RCA 403(b) Retirement Program. 

You may withdraw or rollover up to 100 percent of your employee contributions upon reaching age 59.5. 

A participant may, at any time and regardless of their age, request a withdrawal of all or a portion of their Rollover Contributions and Roth Rollover Contributions and any earnings thereon. 

You may initiate the distributions through NetBenefits at www.netbenefits.com/ or by contacting Fidelity at 800-343-0860.

I am not yet 59.5 years of age, am currently experiencing financial hardship and need to request a one-time distribution.

The RCA 403(b) Retirement Program plan document lists the various circumstances under which a hardship distribution is available. Reference Section 7.10 of the plan document beginning on page 22: 

You may initiate a hardship request through NetBenefits at www.netbenefits.com/ or by contacting Fidelity at 800-343-0860.

I need to take a loan.

You may initiate a loan request through NetBenefits at www.netbenefits.com/  or by contacting Fidelity at 800-343-0860.

I need to update my beneficiary forms. 

You may designate or change your beneficiaries through NetBenefits at www.netbenefits.com/ or by contacting Fidelity at 800-343-0860.

I am retiring as a Minister of Word and Sacrament. What are my options and how do I begin distributions from my RCA 403(b) Retirement Program.

Once the BOBS office receives the official notification (blue form) from your classis that you have retired, we will update your account status in the Fidelity system and you can initiate your distributions (installments, partial or full withdrawal, partial or full rollover) through NetBenefits at www.netbenefits.com/ or by contacting Fidelity at 800-343-0860.

Your distribution options are listed here.

I am retired and want to change the amount of my distribution.

You may initiate the distribution amount change through NetBenefits at www.netbenefits.com/ or by contacting Fidelity at 800-343-0860.

I have been demitted from my classis and therefore no longer serve as a Minister of Word and Sacrament. Once the BOBS office receives the official notification (blue form) from your classis that you have demitted, we will update your account status in the Fidelity system and you can contact Fidelity to access your funds according to the terms of plan document. (see Benefits Considerations When Leaving the RCA | Reformed Church in America for more details) 

My marital status has changed.

I am now divorced and the Judgment of Divorce calls for a division of assets in the RCA Retirement Program. Click here for more information.

I have questions about the plans. 

To get your questions answered, contact Thos Shipley at tshipley@rca.org or at retirement@rca.org.