how much of a PCUSA pastor's retirement pension does the spouse receive upon the pastor's death.

The spouse’s survivor pension is not a flat percentage in PC(USA) practice; it depends on the retiree’s pension option election, and many survivor options pay the spouse a continued monthly benefit for life after the pastor dies. The Board of Pensions describes the Defined Benefit Pension Plan as providing guaranteed monthly retirement income and separates retirement, death, and related benefits, but the exact survivor amount depends on the specific form of benefit chosen at retirement.

What this usually means

• If the pastor chose a joint-and-survivor style option, the spouse typically receives a reduced continuation of the pastor’s pension for life.
• If the pastor chose a single-life option, the pension may stop at death unless there is a separate survivor or death benefit in place.
• Any supplemental death benefits or other coverage are separate from the retirement pension itself.

Practical takeaway

The right answer is: the spouse may receive some or all of a survivor pension, but the percentage is plan-option dependent and not a universal PCUSA rule. To know the exact amount, you need the pastor’s pension election and the Board of Pensions benefit statement.

Best next step

Ask for the pastor’s:

1. retirement option selection,
2. Board of Pensions benefit estimate, and
3. any death benefit or survivor annuity paperwork.

That will show the actual monthly amount the spouse would receive.