Ep. 335: Pastors thinking through retirement
Pastors rarely talk about retirement until it’s too late. In this episode, Brian Croft and Jim Savastio tackle the often-ignored questions: How should a pastor plan financially? What does “retirement” look like for someone whose calling never really ends? They explore biblical wisdom, practical tools (housing, insurance, investing), global and U.S. challenges, and the idea of being “reassigned” rather than stepping away from ministry. A candid, pastoral conversation to help you finish well.
Contact us. We’d love to serve you
Give financially to support the work of helping pastors thrive
Find out more information about the Advancing the Church Conference.
Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
(01:15) Framing the topic: pastors, money, and the question of retirement
(02:30) Biblical tension: trust God vs. plan wisely for the future
(04:30) Providing for wives and widows; inheritance and 1 Timothy 5:8
(06:45) Calling, longevity in ministry, and the “20–25% who make it to retirement age”
(08:30) Brian and Jim’s ages and seasons; Dr. Robert Smith Jr. on “I’m not retiring, I’m reassigned”
(10:20) Longer lifespans, medical costs, and needing expert financial help
(12:05) Life insurance amounts, caring for a likely-longer-lived wife, and Social Security decisions
(14:10) Power of starting small: investing early (e.g., $100/month from age 30)
(15:40) Split in the road: U.S. context vs. international context for pastors
(16:50) Global realities: pastors in parsonages with no home, savings, or safety net (Philippines example)
(18:00) Denominational support, pensions drying up, and intergenerational housing as a “retirement plan”
(19:00) U.S. pastors: Social Security, basic salary packages, and lack of formal retirement accounts
(20:45) Owning a home vs. long-term parsonage living; basic retirement practices for U.S. pastors
(22:30) Medical costs, health-sharing programs, and the burden of healthcare in later life
(24:10) Core exhortation: don’t punt on planning—life insurance, small retirement contributions, home ownership
(26:00) International pastors: when retirement options are minimal, planning with children and family
(27:00) Developing a life skill / bivocational trade to support long-term provision
(28:00) Encouragement for bivocational pastors and challenges for older men without alternate skills
(29:15) “Retirement” vs. “reassignment” in ministry callings
(30:45) Jim’s distinction: calling to full-time pastoral work vs. continued service in other roles
(32:10) Case study: seminary president planning to step down at 75, then feeling able to keep serving
(33:30) Practical implications: stepping aside from paid role while freeing salary for younger men
(34:30) Importance of planned transition before you “feel done” (Alistair Begg example; Brian’s own 60+ plan)
(35:55) Final exhortations: have a plan; others are affected by your decisions
(36:28) Closing prayer for wisdom in retirement and provision planning