The U.S. Senate unanimously passed legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Katie Britt, R-Alabama, that would give certain clergy members a limited opportunity to re-enroll in Social Security after opting out.
The Clergy Act, sponsored in the Senate by Britt and Senator Maggie Hassan, D-New Hampshire, passed by unanimous consent without amendment on September 30. In early 2025, Representative Vince Fong, R-California, introduced the legislation in the House of Representatives for the 119th Congress.
The bill would allow ordained, licensed or commissioned ministers who previously claimed a religious exemption from Social Security to revoke that exemption during a two-year re-enrollment period.
Under current law, clergy members can make a one-time decision to exclude their ministerial earnings from Social Security taxes if they have a conscientious objection to receiving public insurance benefits. The decision is generally permanent, meaning those who opt out do not receive Social Security or Medicare benefits based on that income.
The Clergy Act would give eligible ministers another opportunity to participate in Social Security. Those who re-enroll would have to contribute for 40 quarters, or 10 years, to qualify for benefits based on their earnings.
The legislation also directs the IRS and Social Security Administration to establish a process for notifying eligible clergy about the re-enrollment opportunity.
Britt and Hassan first introduced the legislation in 2024 during the 118th Congress. Congress enacted similar opportunities for clergy who previously opted out of Social Security in 1977, 1986 and 1999, according to Britt’s office.
Supporters of the bill have said the existing opt-out decision can create financial challenges for clergy who choose it early in their careers and later want access to Social Security and Medicare benefits.
In early 2025, Fong introduced the legislation for the 119th Congress. Britt and Hassan introduced the legislation in the Senate shortly afterward.
The House of Representatives passed the Clergy Act in April by a vote of 350-5. The Senate’s unanimous passage sends the measure to the White House. It now heads to President Donald Trump for consideration.
“Members of the clergy are pillars of so many communities across our nation. They should have the opportunity to enroll back in Social Security, and now they will. I’m thankful for Senator Hassan’s partnership in getting this legislation across the finish line in the Senate, as well as Congressman Vince Fong for leading this bill successfully through the House. I look forward to President Trump signing it into law,” Britt said.
If signed into law, the legislation would apply to taxable years beginning January 1, 2029, and January 1, 2030, creating the two-year window for eligible clergy to re-enroll.
The measure has received support from organizations including the Church Alliance, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and the National Association of Evangelicals.
