pension
subjects from Clergy Pension provision to relations with the Methodists, energy conservation and Food Bank provision to name but 4.
As chair of the steering group of the Clergy Pension Action Group, a grassroots movement representing more than 2,100 clergy, I helped campaign to address pension injustices.
I have already had the joy of talking to a number of clergy who have retired in recent weeks, for whom the pension improvements have been transformative in the way they feel about entering retirement.
Over the years my dedication and hard work brought promotions to eventually be part of the management team in the finance office for the Pension Service.
• 1990 to present – Chairman of 2 defined benefit pension schemes
Bringing executive-level financial oversight to national budgets, church investments, and pension provisions so the Church remains a responsible, sustainable steward of God's resources.
passed nem con and led to the restoration of the clergy pension to 2/3rds of the benchmark stipend and an ongoing review of pensions to address many outstanding issues for clergy wellbeing in retirement.
During my time on Synod I have had a special concern for clergy wellbeing, advocating for improvements to the stipend, the pension, retirement housing provision and support for our mental health.
I warmly welcome the restoration of the ba- sic clergy pension rate to two-thirds of the National Minimum Stipend and the com- mitment to address the effects of the earli- er reduction.
My links with the wider CEECA network, to- gether with my own experience as a retired cleric receiving a Church of England pension, mean that I am well placed to continue tak- ing a close interest in these important as- pects of clergy wellbeing.
Part of my responsibilities was also to represent Senior Officers nationally on the Pension Scheme Board.
taking forward the work on identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage arising from Living in Love and Faith However, we have also dealt with important legislation on Clergy Conduct, the central Governance of the church and the distribution of funding; have approved better remuneration and pension arrangements for clergy; have had lively and often moving debates on topics related to full inclusion in the life of the church related to mental health, disability, neurodivergence and access to ministry for working class people.
Conditions of service, pension provision, and pastoral care and supervision all need further work.
Not as a second-best option available, not because it offers a nice pension to clergy, not because we are still relatively wealthy – but rather as a response to the Living Lord, Jesus Christ, whom they have encountered in the Church of England.
I was elected to fill a casual vacancy on General Synod in July 2024 and again have been able to support the uplift in clergy stipend and pension and the importance of clergy well-being.
I have worked on Synod in the last two years to ensure proper pension provision for clergy.
But there is more to be done, and if re- elected I will be contributing to a fuller review of the pension package, as well as other issues connected with clergy wellbeing.
I have supported measures to improve clergy wellbeing including stipend and pension uplifts, reform of CDM, better support for working class clergy and neurodivergent clergy, and an increase in rest periods.
I have had the ability this past year to speak to some of my deepest concerns: 1) freeing people up for mission and resourcing the local parish to do the work of sharing the gospel of our amazing saviour 2) the mental health of our clergy under so many pressures 3) the stipend and pension provision 4) and neurodiversity among our clergy.
During my time on Synod, I have been a member of the Advisory Group for Term of service And Wellbeing of Minsters (AGTAWM), a member of the Steering Committee for the Safeguarding (Code of Practice) Measure, part of the Diocesan Stipend funds revision committee, a member nominated trustee of the Church of England Pension Board (since 2021) and a Trustee of the Open Synod Group, which arranges social events to encourage friendship and understanding across the range of views on General Synod.
My top priority for the next Quinquennium of Synod is to advocate for issues around Clergy Wellbeing, particularly changes to Clergy Pension and retirement.
Is the amended pension sufficient for all clergy to retire without hardship and experience a dignified standard of living?
To bring a voice for a better pension, Unity in the Church, and a heart for mission in its diverse forms, please consider voting for me or including me in your list of preferred candidates.
The value of this became clear in the recent pensions debates, when my memory of the 2011 debate was important in persuading members of the Church Commissioners and Pensions Board to back the full restoration of the 2/3 clergy pension.
Support for clergy, including changes to the pension scheme and a new Clergy Conduct Measure to replace the Clergy Discipline Measure.
We must build on recent progress (such as pension redress) to support clergy flourishing.
Over the last few years, I have advocated to restore the clergy pension.
The recent improvements to the clergy pension scheme are good, and demonstrate what can be done when Synod works collaboratively on a constructive goal.
During my first two years on General Synod, I have actively contributed to debates on Living in Love and Faith, working-class vocations, safeguarding, mental health, poverty and pension reform.
I will continue to support reforms to pension and stipend provision and promote a diversity of vocations that more fully reflects the body of Christ.
We have made some progress in recent years with the rise in stipends and the pension reforms but many clergy are still be asked to carry too much I would continue to advocate for clergy so that we can say it is the best job as well as the best calling.
I work as a pension consultant for a large international company and I feel that an active working person like me brings some “real world” perspective to the Synod.
A particularly effective expression of holding authorities to account was when we managed to restore clergy pension provision to pre-2011 levels.
Since retiring, I have also been a Trustee for a Pension Fund.
Clergy Pension Scheme and