DAC and CACs Now Available for 2020

The Denominational Average Compensation¹ (DAC) and Conference Average Compensations (CACs) for jurisdictional (U.S.) conferences are now available for 2020. This document provides a complete listing, by conference name, of both the 2019 and 2020 figures.

In addition, this graph may be of interest. It shows that while the total amount of compensation in the United States for full-time clergy has been decreasing the past few years, the total number of U.S. full-time clergy has been decreasing faster. Therefore, the average full-time compensation level has continued to increase. The DAC increased 1.8% this year which is in line with increases over the last few years.

In order to use the DAC and CAC figures properly, please remember the following:

• Wespath calculates the DAC and CACs solely for use by the denomination’s U.S. pension and welfare plans for clergy. Any other use is strongly discouraged.
• In general, the DAC and CAC are averages of the compensation (as defined by the benefit plans) of full-time U.S. clergy who participate in the Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP) and/or the Comprehensive Protection Plan (CPP).
• The DAC includes the compensation of clergy serving local churches in the United States, jurisdictional bishops and district superintendents, and clergy serving general agencies and other appointments in the United States extending the ministry of the United Methodist Church. Clergy in those extension ministries are included only if they participate in the Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP) and/or the Comprehensive Protection Plan (CPP).
• The CACs include the compensation of district superintendents, but exclude the compensation of bishops and clergy serving general agencies.
• Plan compensation includes housing allowances, housing exclusions and certain tax deferrals, such as UMPIP before-tax contributions and Code section 125 medical spending account deferrals. For clergy living in a parsonage, plan compensation also includes an amount equal to 25% of compensation.
• Plan compensation excludes amounts paid in lieu of a conference providing a group health plan. This amendment to the compensation definition was approved at General Conference 2016 and effective for the 2017 DAC.

To accommodate the Church’s advance budget planning needs, Wespath sustains a long tradition of calculating the DAC with a two-year lag. In other words, the 2020 DAC is calculated based on 2018 compensation data. There are no adjustments or projections to account for the two-year difference.

¹ Denominational Average Compensation is a specifically defined term associated with the Clergy Retirement Security Program, including its Supplements, and the Comprehensive Protection Plan. As such, its name can be changed only by General Conference.

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