Envisioning Retirement: The Pros and the Woes

Q: When you envision retirement, what are the “pros” you hope to experience?

“I look forward most to mentoring people along their path in ministry and any other parts of their calling. I also look forward to volunteering my time and talents to support various community organizations working in food justice, financial literacy, and education. At this point in my career, I do not have a clear vision of what it really would mean to “retire.” Presently, my experience shows that there are different seasons where different activities take the lead.”

—The Rev. Kendall Moore, Pastor, Cresskill Congregational Church, Cresskill, New Jersey

“When I envision retirement, I don’t picture disappearing. I picture shifting gears. The “pros” I hope to experience are real rest (without guilt), reflection and prayerful listening, the freedom to be more intentional in mentoring, and immersion in my hobbies and passions. I’d love to invest in younger leaders the way I’ve invested in students and youth, helping them build sustainable ministry models, write grants, lead with integrity, and stay human. I hope retirement creates space to impact others with more presence, fewer emergencies, and deeper relationships.”

—The Rev. Dr. Kirk A. Johnson, Settled Pastor, Christ Congregation in Princeton, New Jersey

“The greatest benefit will be spending more time with my family, but when I envision my retirement, I am most excited about the opportunities that it will provide for me to mentor congregations. I am so blessed to be in an area where there are a number of retired ministers who use their experience and free time to serve as part-time interim pastors for congregations. This way, the congregation can receive guidance and be more prepared to welcome a permanent pastor. The United Church of Christ is alive, breathing, changing, and evolving. When I retire in the far future, we will still need pastors with experience and integrity to help prepare the way in the wilderness and equip congregations for meaningful change.”

—The Rev. Becky Sausser, St. John’s UCC, Allentown, Pennsylvania

Q: What are some of the “woes” or worries you carry about retirement, especially considering economic instability and uncertainty around Social Security?

“Having come of age amidst the 2008 financial crisis, yet only purchasing my first home in 2023, I have serious doubts about housing as an investment vehicle and that my primary home will be a constantly appreciating asset. My retirement strategy does not include counting on assets from the sale of a home, especially given the high price of nursing homes and other elder housing options. I also do not expect Social Security to be around for me to collect."

—The Rev. Shane Montoya, Pastor, Congregational Church of Birmingham UCC, Troy, Michigan

"My “woes” are mostly about stability. Economic volatility makes long-range planning feel like aiming at a moving target. I worry about health costs, inflation eroding savings, and the uncertainty around Social Security—not just whether it will exist, but whether it will remain adequate. I also worry about pastors like me who carry multiple responsibilities—ministry, administration, fundraising, community engagement—and how easily we under-save because we’re always meeting needs in front of us. The fear isn’t only financial. It’s the fear of becoming a burden, even though I’ve spent my life trying to be a blessing.”

—The Rev. Dr. Kirk A. Johnson

“The greatest worry that I have about retirement is that we may not be saving enough to live comfortably. My pension through the United Church of Christ provides reassurance for me that I will have my needs taken care of. My wife and I have started diversifying our portfolio as well. With the transition to Fidelity Investments, we've been exploring resources and education available to become better prepared. In speaking with some of my retired colleagues, many of them have expressed that we have a greater challenge set before us than previous generations. Having that affirmation made me feel better.” 

—The Rev. Becky Sausser

Q: How do you balance the call to ministry with the practical need to prepare financially for the future?

“As a co-vocational pastor, I am often unsure what balance of my talents is best for my congregation and my own spiritual and financial health. Many questions arise around balancing salary and benefits while dealing with the reality that being a pastor does not fit neatly within a structured work week. I often feel unsure as to what types of diversification are best for my current trajectory as a pastor and musician. How much should I be setting aside into the pension/annuity? How much money should go in Roth IRAs, stocks, and bonds? The Pension Boards has provided helpful tools and online trainings, but more access to one-on-one counseling and opportunities to deal with the “hard numbers” would be beneficial.”

—Rev. Kendall Moore

“Balancing the call to ministry with the practical need to prepare financially is one of the quiet tensions I carry. I believe ministry is a calling, but that wisdom is spiritual, and prudence is part of faithfulness. The challenge is resisting the temptation to always “sacrifice later” while I’m serving now. I try to treat financial preparation as stewardship, not selfishness: caring for my future self, and protecting the church from crisis decisions down the road.”

—Rev. Dr. Kirk A. Johnson

“I believe bi-vocationalism is on the horizon for most UCC ministers under the age of 40. There will be some full-time positions at churches, but most of us will have to find other ways to supplement our incomes. Lately, I’ve been wondering how to prepare for that 1-2 day-a-week job that will require me to save for retirement and maintain my current standard of living.”

—The Rev. Shane Montoya

Q: What kind of spiritual or leadership inheritance do you hope to pass on to the next generation of pastors?

“As I am currently only in my third year of pastoral ministry, I hope to pass on my current experiences of cultivating a healthy Sabbath practice, foundational personal finance principles as a co-vocational pastor, and how I walk with God in this process. I am not doing this alone, and I want to share how God shows up through wise counsel with other ministers, financial advisors, and the journey ahead.”

—The Rev. Kendall Moore

“I hope to pass on a few non-negotiables. Courage with compassion: telling the truth in love, even when it costs something. A theology that protects people: ministry that refuses harm and takes justice seriously, especially toward marginalized communities. Deep spirituality without performance: prayer, reflection, and emotional honesty that doesn’t pretend pastors are invincible. Competence as care: strong communication, sound administration, ethical leadership, and wise boundaries. Sustainable ministry: not burning out as a badge of honor, but building systems, teams, and rhythms that last.

I want the next generation of pastors to inherit more than sermons. They should inherit models of leadership that are faithful, practical, and freeing. And if I do it right, they won’t just remember what I built. They’ll remember how I helped them believe they could build too.”

—The Rev. Dr. Kirk A. Johnson 

“In scripture, Elijah passes his mantle to Elisha in an act of passing the care and life of his prophetic ministry from one generation to the next. I serve a congregation where the stewardship of the pastors who have come before me is always present. My goal is that I may be a good steward to this congregation during my season, passing that mantle on to the next generation. In practice, I think that that looks like prioritizing the heart of our ministry and truly living into sustainability for our buildings, our people, and our planet.”

—The Rev. Becky Sausser

“We have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Christians are not called to excellence; we are called to faithfulness and love.”

—The Rev. Shane Montoya