Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Igel

(37,274 posts)
4. No, the text is fairly clear in most places.
Wed Dec 24, 2025, 08:41 AM
19 hrs ago

You irrevocably waive any right to OASI/social security and that's it. Or was it, if this bill becomes law.

Left out: If you worked 10 years and then joined the clergy and signed the form, you're revoked your eligibility. So the 10 years doesn't matter. (As a teacher in Texas, I'm covered by TRS--but I'm eligible to receive SS when I apply because being covered by a DCP for the last 20 years doesn't affect my previous contributions or eligibility. I signed no irrevocable waiver.)

I said the text is mostly clear. This bit curls around and tries to go all ouroboros as though that would be fattening:

Because Social Security is a pay-as-you-go system, any benefits paid would be funded by the clergy members’ own contributions.


Yes, SS is a pay-go system: What's paid goes now for current expenses. That is, a payer's 'own contributions' funds current payments--so unless the claim is that you pay in $200 and get $200 back, what you are paying as FICA is equal to or greater than your current benefits, the sentence is gibberish. Any benefits paid (in the future) will be funded by future payers' contributions, or the benefits will be reduced (most recent estimate I've seen is in the mid-high-teen percents but people like using the scarier older one).

This is not neutral, since most of the time, these days, people pay in less than they get "back". Hence the current reduction in the 'trust fund'. Contrary to claims of 'theft' often bandied about without understanding, by law it had to be placed in special issue treasury bills and is currently gradually, but soon to be quickly, being redeemed, at no increase to the national debt as calculated one way but at an increase in publicly held debt--by which I mean not 'debt held by the federal government' but 'debt held by individuals, investment funds, pensions, and, weirdly, the Federal Reserve'--sure to create some problems with the debt-issuance system (and maybe the federal deficit).

Recommendations

4 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Only if they pay in the total amount of FICA taxes they otherwise Deminpenn 23 hrs ago #1
Very true mdbl 21 hrs ago #2
I found this information about Catholic Priests and Nuns interesting rpannier 20 hrs ago #3
No, the text is fairly clear in most places. Igel 19 hrs ago #4
Whether allowing them to opt in strains SS resources or not isn't the issue in my mind... paleotn 19 hrs ago #5
Did the article say moreland01 19 hrs ago #6
There are bipartisan versions of this bill in both the House and the Senate BumRushDaShow 18 hrs ago #8
whatever happened to "Congress shall make no law concerning religion"? Scruffy1 18 hrs ago #7
If they want back in, then the credits start from the day Karma13612 18 hrs ago #9
Why should they have to forfeit any credits they earned prior to opting out? MichMan 11 hrs ago #17
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, Nigrum Cattus 17 hrs ago #10
Joel Osteen is so relieved that he can get SSA when he retires! n/t Jacson6 16 hrs ago #11
The article states clergy received inaccurate advice. Raven123 16 hrs ago #12
Then you gotta pay in. Otherwise, no, I'm sorry. Callie1979 15 hrs ago #13
Clergy? swong19104 15 hrs ago #14
Some churches offer pension plans for retired clergy IronLionZion 13 hrs ago #15
Sounds like a way for megachurch tax cheats to benefit JT45242 11 hrs ago #16
WTF happened to their "objections based on religious grounds"? Either make it mandatory for all of them or fuckem. FadedMullet 11 hrs ago #18
I believe that the Amish are exempted from participating in SS MichMan 10 hrs ago #19
Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»New Bill Would Allow Some...»Reply #4