The People Behind Your Mission Deserve the Very Best
Recruiting and retaining exceptional faculty at a Christian college or university is not just a human resources challenge; it is a ministry responsibility. Your professors, administrators, and staff have chosen faith-driven work.
- Are you struggling to offer a retirement benefit competitive enough to attract and retain skilled faculty?
- Does managing retirement plan compliance feel like a burden your team was not built to carry?
- Are you looking for a partner who understands the unique financial landscape of Christian higher education?
Your people invest in your students every day. We help you invest in their futures.
When Your Team Thrives, Your Mission Does Too
We believe a fair compensation package is an act of ministry stewardship. Since 1949, we have helped Christian colleges and universities build retirement programs grounded in biblical principles so faculty and staff can focus on teaching, mentoring, and administration rather than worrying about their financial future.
Peace of mind for your employees is a gift your institution gives every single day.
Trusted Stewardship. Protected Futures. Eternal Impact.
A Retirement Plan Built for Christian Higher Education
The Servant Solutions Retirement Plan is a 403(b)(9) church plan, a defined contribution plan purpose-built for faith-based institutions. We currently serve the staff of the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) and many of its accredited institutions. We also serve other colleges and universities such as Anderson University, Warner Pacific University, Hobe Sound Bible College, Mid-America Christian University, and more.
Plan Type
A 403(b)(9) defined contribution church plan built for the distinct needs of faith-based educational institutions.
Who Can Participate
All employees of qualifying Christian colleges and universities are eligible. This includes faculty, administrators, and support staff.
Ways to Contribute
Employers
Make tax-sheltered contributions on behalf of eligible employees.
Employees
Elect to have contributions withheld directly from your paycheck on a pre-tax or after-tax basis. A Roth option is also available for after-tax contributions.
How You Can Invest
- Lifefunds: age-appropriate mutual funds designed with risk in mind
- Mutual Funds: individual investments for those who choose to create their own portfolio
- Fixed Income Option: a stable, out-of-market option with a stated rate of return
What Sets Servant Solutions Apart for Christian Universities
No Administrative Filing Burden
As a church plan, the Servant Solutions Retirement Plan does not require employers to file the time-consuming Form 5500, a meaningful reduction in administrative workload for your finance and HR teams.
No Cost Retirement Plans
Colleges and universities can start offering Servant Solutions to employees at no charge. There is no minimum contribution required to open an account, and no minimum monthly contribution amount.
Exceptionally Low Fees Through Nonprofit Status
Our nonprofit structure means our fees are not designed to generate profit, they are designed to protect your employees’ savings. Faculty and staff keep more of what they save.
No Taxable Income on Employer Contributions
Employer contributions are not subject to Social Security tax or income tax at the time of contribution, providing a meaningful advantage for your institution’s compensation planning.
Tax-Deferred Growth and Flexible Contributions
All contributions and earnings grow tax-deferred. Employees may contribute pre-tax, after-tax, or via Roth, giving them flexibility to plan according to their own financial goals.
Rollover-Friendly
Employees joining your institution from other organizations can roll over eligible retirement plans with no tax consequence, making Servant Solutions easy to adopt at any stage of a career.
Housing Allowance Benefit for Ordained Ministers
Ordained ministers on your faculty or staff can take advantage of the housing allowance tax benefit, giving them a tax savings opportunity unavailable through most institutional retirement plans.
What University Leaders Are Saying
We're a small college on a tight budget, yet we know we need to take care of our people. It's the right thing to do in the eyes of God. We found in Servant Solutions a group of people whose ministry it is to help others in ministry, and they do so with professionalism that is joyous, loving and grace-filled. They passed our due-diligence vetting with flying colors, then they showed up on our campus to meet individually with our staff to help them get started in their retirement plans. Servant Solutions has been a perfect fit and a blessing.
Dr. Ryan Ward, President
Montana Bible College
What University Leaders Are Saying
Such vision should include appropriate support for employees and tools for them to proactively prepare for the future. Servant Solutions is a tremendous ministry partner who can provide you and your institution with the information and support needed to make retirement planning a vital part of that vision. Their services are straightforward, professional, and appreciated by all!
Adam Buckler, President
Union Bible College and Academy
What University Leaders Are Saying
Penn View Bible Institute teaches that life can be summed up in one word and that one word is relationship; a relationship with God and a relationship with each other. Servant Solutions not only is an adequate partner for our organization’s retirement planning, but they are interested in providing a genuine Christ-centered relationship with our employees. If you are looking for a retirement and financial planner partner who provides authentic relationships that you can trust, we highly recommend Servant Solutions. The relationship is worth it!
Daniel Durkee, President
Penn View Bible Institute
What University Leaders Are Saying
About a year and a half ago, I was introduced to the Servant Solutions Retirement Plan. I could see a number of aspects to it that made sense for our organization. Since that introduction, I’ve had multiple meetings with Servant Solutions’ Staff. We also interviewed another Plan Provider because I wanted to do good due diligence. We know each plan’s fee structures can be different. We considered what the net return on investment would be for Servant Solutions, TIAA, and this third good alternative. We also compared their financial strength ratings, and the board ultimately gave approval to make the change to Servant Solutions - they were the clear winner!
Paul Bray, Vice President for Business and Campus Operations and CFO
Faith Baptist Bible College and Seminary
members served
in assets under stewardship.
of trusted service
A Straightforward Path to Enrollment
1
Connect With Our Team
Schedule a conversation with one of our experienced advisors. We will take the time to understand your institution’s structure, your employees’ needs, and your goals for a retirement benefit.
2
Build a Customized Plan
We craft a faith-aligned retirement strategy designed around your institution’s unique profile, covering investment options, contribution structures, communication, and onboarding support.
3
Start the enrollment process
- To begin the process, review the Enrollment Checklist.
- If your employer is already enrolled with Servant Solutions and you’re ready to start a retirement account with us, complete the Retirement Account Enrollment process.
Serve Your Team with Confidence
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Christian colleges and universities are currently eligible?
We currently serve ABHE-accredited institutions and many faith-based colleges and universities sharing common religious convictions with the Church of God (Anderson, IN). Contact us directly to confirm your institution’s eligibility.
Does enrolling require a large upfront financial commitment?
No. Colleges and universities can begin offering the Servant Solutions plan to employees at no charge, with no minimum contribution amounts required at the institutional or individual level.
Are there any ongoing compliance filings required?
As a 403(b)(9) church plan, Servant Solutions does not require the annual Form 5500 filing — removing a significant administrative burden from your HR and finance teams.
Can employees from other retirement plans transfer their existing savings?
Yes. Rollovers from eligible retirement plans are accepted without tax consequence, making it simple for faculty and staff to consolidate their savings under one plan.
What financial wellness support is available to our employees?
All Servant Solutions members have access to free financial education through the Toolbox Series, webinars, and personalized one-on-one sessions through the Financial Roadmap process. Our on-staff advisors include Jerry Fox, PhD, CFP®, and a full team dedicated to serving ministry workers at every stage of life.
How long does it take to get our institution enrolled?
The process is straightforward. Visit our enrollment checklist page to begin, and our team will guide you through each step personally.