Greetings! In reviewing a prior year tax return to assist with a traditional IRA setup for a pastors wife, the CPA answered NO to the question if the pastor was covered by a retirement plan.

The Pastor has a pension plan from his national church board. He doesn’t contribute directly but the church contributes 20% of his salary toward a pension. I know there are lots of special rules for pastors, but isn’t a pension considered a retirement plan?

The wife has her own business and income. I was trying to be sure their joint income allowed her to have an IRA.