Eligibility
Joining the RPB community
We’re proud to have helped thousands of Reform Movement clergy, professionals, educators, and staff achieve a fulfilling retirement. And we’re ready to help others in the community do the same.
Eligibility criteria
Eligibility to participate in the RPB plan depends on three factors:
Employer type
Employee position
Membership in a Reform Movement professional organization for certain roles
Employees age 18 or older who meet the applicable criteria can take part in the retirement plan.
Eligibility details
- URJ Congregations
Employees of U.S.-based URJ-affiliated congregations are eligible. Some roles also require membership in their respective Reform Movement professional organization (see the table below).
Part-time employees are also eligible if they meet the average weekly hours requirement:- 18 hours/week or more (at least 936 hours a year): immediately eligible
- 9-17 hours/week (at least 468–935 hours a year): eligible after 2 years of service
- Less than 9 hours/week: not eligible
- Reform Movement Institutions
All employees of Reform Movement institutions are eligible, such as the URJ, CCAR, and RPB. - Independent* or Reconstructing Judaism Congregations
CCAR members are eligible
- NATA, ARJE, ECE-RJ, and PEP-RJ members are eligible for up to five years if they already have an RPB account
*For purposes of RPB eligibility, an independent congregation is defined as one that has never been affiliated with the Reform Movement and was founded more than ten years ago.
- 501(c)(3) Non-profit Organizations
Only CCAR rabbis in parsonage-eligible roles can participate. - Other Non-URJ Congregations
- CCAR members are eligible for up to five years
- NATA, ARJE, ECE-RJ, and PEP-RJ members are eligible for up to five years if they already have an RPB account
- Other employees are eligible for up to five years if their congregation disaffiliates from the URJ and they already have an RPB account.
NOTE: Once a congregation disaffiliates from the URJ, they cannot enroll new employees.
- World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ)-affiliated Congregations
CCAR rabbis who are U.S. taxpayers are eligible. - Independent Rabbis
Independent CCAR rabbis may participate only if they are performing sacerdotal functions.
NOTE: Cantors who are ACC members are not eligible to participate in the RPB retirement plan.
URJ Congregation Roles Requiring Professional Membership
Professional Organization |
Positions Requiring Membership |
|---|---|
Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) | All Rabbis |
National Association for Temple Administration (NATA) | Executive Director/Temple Administrator (or equivalent) |
Association of Reform Jewish Educators (ARJE)** |
|
Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism (ECE-RJ)** |
|
Program and Engagement Professionals of Reform Judaism (PEP-RJ)** |
|
- This list may not be all inclusive. Each organization reserves the right to change its eligibility requirements.
- * Director titles include all levels: Directors, Associate Directors, and Assistant Directors.
- ** Multiple member discounts may be available. Contact the organization for more information.
Additional benefits
Set up your safety nets with RPB
In addition to our defined-contribution retirement plan, you might be able to take advantage of the insurance plans we offer. Click on the links below to learn more about the eligibility criteria for:
- Life insurance, including term life and accidental death & dismemberment at no additional cost as long as your combined contributions are at least 10 percent of your salary. You can also purchase additional coverage through our optional life insurance program.
- Long-term disability insurance.
- RPB retirement plan contribution insurance.
Hear what your peers think of RPB.
Meet other RPB plan participants and learn about the benefits they’ve enjoyed.