Understand the proposed Clergy Act and a potential 2029–2030 window to re-enter Social Security and Medicare.
On April 27, 2026, by vote of 350 to 5, the U.S. House of Representatives took a significant and bipartisan step that could impact the long-term financial security of ministers of a church, members of a religious order, or Christian Science practitioners (collectively, clergy).
The House passed H.R. 227, commonly referred to as the Clergy Act, by an overwhelming margin, marking a rare moment of consensus on legislation impacting faith leaders and the Social Security and Medicare programs.
Background: What the Clergy Act seeks to address
Under existing federal law, clergy members have the option to opt in to Social Security and Medicare taxes upon their ordination. However, that decision has historically been irrevocable. Once a clergy member did not opt in, they were permanently excluded from Social Security and Medicare coverage for any future ministerial employment wages even if their financial circumstances changed later in life.
For many clergy members, especially those who made the election early in their career, the long-term implications may not have been fully understood at the time. As a result, some clergy have reached retirement age without access to Social Security and Medicare benefits, creating financial vulnerability despite decades of service.
What the Clergy Act does
The Clergy Act creates a limited two-year window (calendar years 2029 and 2030) allowing clergy who previously opted out of Social Security and Medicare to revoke that election and re-enter the programs. During this window, eligible clergy would once again pay into Social Security and Medicare going forward, restoring access to future benefits.
The Clergy Act does not mandate participation. Instead, it preserves the original intent of respecting religious autonomy while offering a narrowly tailored opportunity to revoke that election.
What comes next
S. 639, the Clergy Act was introduced in the Senate on February 19, 2025, and referred to the Senate Finance Committee. No further Senate action has been recorded.
If enacted, religious organizations should be prepared to educate clergy about whether to participate in Social Security and Medicare, including the advantages and disadvantages of making (or revoking) that election.
Existing benefit plans offered to clergy, such as pension plans and self-insured post-retirement health plans, may also affect this analysis. Organizations should emphasize that any revocation opportunity would be available only for a limited time.
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