New Enrollees

The ACC sponsors a 403(b)(9) Qualified Church Plan for all eligible members to benefit from. Being a qualified church plan provides eligible participants the opportunity to claim parsonage in retirement, something that regular 403b plans are unable to offer.   

The retirement plans offered by the ACC include:

A 403(b)(9) Qualified Church Plan: salary deferrals and temple (employer) contributions made to this plan by qualifying employers, or rolled over from a qualifying 403(b) church plans are eligible for parsonage in retirement for ordained clergy. Fidelity Investments plan number 71280.

Supplemental Plan: a non-qualified deferred compensation plan in which funds invested are held in an irrevocable trust for the benefit of participants for retirement purposes. Sometimes referred to as the "Rabbi Trust" due to its origin with the IRS, the Supplemental Plan allows employers to make contributions that may exceed the annual IRS maximum contribution limits for eligible compensation. Salary deferrals and temple contributions in this plan are eligible for parsonage in retirement as of 2018. Fidelity Investments plan number 71281.

Important Note: Distributions from the Supplemental Plan are paid out quarterly over a five-year period for account balances over $23,500 (in 2025). Distributions are based on a formula as defined in the Plan document and begin upon retirement, unless a distribution deferral form is on file with the ACC Office one year prior to retirement.

Eligibility

ACC and GTM members in good standing are eligible to enroll in the ACC Retirement Plan. Rabbis ordained from HUC-JIR may be eligible through the CCAR (via the GTM) only if they no longer meet RPB's eligibility requirements.  

Enrollment

Members can enroll in the Retirement Plan at any time. There is no waiting period, minimum contribution or weekly working requirement. Online enrollment and beneficiary designations are required. 

Enrollment Process

Please read the Enrollment Guide and plan documents for the ACC Retirement Plan, complete the online enrollment and return any forms to the ACC Retirement Plan Administrator in the ACC Office at 1375 Remington Road, Suite M, Schaumburg, IL 60173. Be sure to retain copies for your records.

How do I monitor activity in my Fidelity account?

You can access your account online through Fidelity NetBenefits or call the Fidelity Participant Benefits Line at 1-800-343-0860. Through NetBenefits, you can monitor your account, update your beneficiaries, alter your investments, and take advantage of the wide variety of financial planning tools Fidelity offers!

When am I vested?

You are always 100% vested in any contributions made to your retirement account. Your Fidelity statement will reflect the vesting at 100%.

Can I move money from another retirement plan into my ACC Retirement Plan account with Fidelity?

Yes. You are welcome to roll over eligible pretax contributions from a variety of other accounts such as: a 403(b) qualified church plan, a 403(b) plan account, a 457(b) plan,  account, a 401(k) plan account, an IRA previously rolled over from an employer-sponsored retirement plan, like a 401(k)

Note: Only Salary Deferrals and Temple Contributions rolled over from a 403(b) qualified church plan are eligible for parsonage in retirement for ordained clergy.

I recently created a trust, how do I update this change with Fidelity?

Beneficiary information can be updated via the Profile link in NetBenefits or by faxing a completed Beneficiary Designation form to the Retirement Administrator in the ACC main office. You are able to specify up to 4 different Beneficiary Types: a person, an estate, an organization, a trust.

What are the annual administrative fees for this plan?

In addition to the fees charged by the various fund providers, the ACC charges an administrative fee, currently $380.00 per year, divided into quarterly deductions from each participant account. Fidelity Investments charges a record keeping fee, currently $96.00 per year, divided into quarterly deductions from each participant account. As of 2018, the administrative fee will be waived for new participants in their first two years of employment.