20+ YEARS OF MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
Financial Planning for Pastors
Experienced Financial Guidance for Those Who Provide Spiritual Leadership
✔ SOCIAL SECURITY PLANNING
✔ RETIREMENT PLANNING
✔ TAX STRATEGY
✔ HOUSING ALLOWANCE OPTIMIZATION FOR RETIREMENT
Bolstering Pastors with Financial Wisdom
Financial planning for pastors addresses the unique financial challenges and opportunities that ministers face, including specialized tax situations, housing allowances, and retirement planning considerations.
Proper financial planning allows pastors to focus on their ministry while helping to ensure long-term financial stability for themselves and their families.
KEY BENEFITS
Optimizing Your Financial Future with Ministry-Focused Solutions
Housing Allowance Optimization
Maximize your tax benefits through proper documentation and planning
Ministry-Focused Freedom
Concentrate on your calling while knowing your finances are managed by professionals
Social Security Decision Support
Tailored guidance on the irrevocable decision to opt in or out
Retirement Planning Specialization
Lay the groundwork for housing allowance benefits to continue into retirement
Dual-Tax Status Management
Navigate both employed and self-employed tax situations effectively
Tax-Efficient Planning
Optimize your unique ministerial tax benefits and opportunities
Key Specialty Areas
Financial planning for pastors addresses the unique financial challenges and opportunities that ministers face, including specialized tax situations, housing allowances, and retirement planning considerations
With guidance tailored specifically for faith-based professionals, we help you structure your finances in a way that maximizes benefits while aligning with ministry values.
Housing Allowance Optimization
Documentation systems for rental value plus furnishings
Housing allowance in retirement
Housing allowance reporting
Social Security Planning
Two-year window decision support
Medicare implications analysis
Long-term impact assessment
Tax Strategy
Self-employment tax management
Church plan integration
Church retirement plan coordination
Retirement Planning
Future planning considerations
Personalized savings plan
Investment management
✔
HOUSING ALLOWANCE OPTIMIZATION FOR RETIREMENT
✔
SOCIAL SECURITY PLANNING
✔
TAX STRATEGY
✔
RETIREMENT PLANNING
✔ HOUSING ALLOWANCE OPTIMIZATION FOR RETIREMENT ✔ SOCIAL SECURITY PLANNING ✔ TAX STRATEGY ✔ RETIREMENT PLANNING
OUR SERVICE PROCESS
Your Journey to Financial Confidence
1
Initial Financial Assessment
We review your income, expenses, and financial plans to identify key challenges and opportunities.
2
Financial Goal Setting
We define clear financial goals, such as improving cash flow, reducing taxes, or planning for retirement.
3
Risk and Tax Analysis
We help optimize tax benefits, housing allowance, and self-employment tax strategies, as well as help with insurance analysis, implementation, and estate planning.
4
Custom Plan Development
We create a tailored strategy, covering budgeting, tax planning, and long-term finances.
5
Implementation & Ongoing Support
We execute the plan with regular check-ins, documentation updates, and financial progress reviews.
Meeting Frequency:
Quarterly/Annually based on service package
Communication Methods:
Video, phone, or in-person options
✔ REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION CHECKLIST PROVIDED
✔ REGULAR PROGRESS REVIEWS
COST OPTIONS
Custom Pastor Financial Planning Packages
At Heartwood Financial Planning, we recognize every pastor’s financial journey is different. Whether you need comprehensive, proactive financial guidance or occasional experience, our structured service plans help ensure that your financial future is secure, well-planned, and aligned with your ministry goals.
Proactive Planning
Starting at $5,000/year
For pastors who want ongoing, high-touch financial guidance, this plan offers a fully engaged, strategic partnership. We proactively manage your financial strategy while helping with personal tax preparation throughout the year, so you always stay on track.
Included Services:
Quarterly strategy meetings to review progress and make strategic adjustments
Health plan review & recommendations to align with your financial goals
Housing allowance optimization
Retirement strategy development
Investment management guidance
Debt management strategies
Risk & insurance analysis
If you’re seeking a proactive, structured approach to long-term financial success, this is the best choice.
Maintenance Planning
$2,000/year
For pastors who already have a solid financial foundation and want ongoing support without intensive strategy meetings, our Maintenance Planning option helps ensure that your financial plan remains relevant and effective over time.
Included Services:
Annual financial review to help ensure your plan stays aligned with your goals
Unlimited financial guidance via phone, email, or text for key financial decisions
Access to financial planning software for easy financial tracking
This option is ideal for pastors who want periodic check-ins and expert guidance without the need for quarterly meetings.
Hourly Financial Advice
$200/hour (90-minute minimum)
For pastors who need occasional expert advice without committing to an ongoing plan, we offer hourly financial consulting. This is a great fit for those who:
Need guidance on a specific financial question
Want to review housing allowance documentation or tax strategies
Are looking for a second opinion on retirement or investment decisions
This option allows you to access professional advice on demand, making it a flexible and cost-effective solution.
Who Can Benefit
New Pastors
within their first two years of ministry
Established Pastors
seeking to optimize their financial situation
Bi-vocational Pastors
managing multiple income sources
Seasoned Pastors
approaching retirement
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes - pastors face unique financial situations including dual tax status, housing allowances, and special retirement considerations that require a specific understanding to navigate properly. Generic financial advice may miss critical opportunities available specifically to ministers.
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While the Social Security decision is irrevocable, we can help develop strategies to help maximize your retirement savings and help ensure adequate preparation for healthcare costs without Medicare benefits. We'll help create a plan that accounts for this decision.
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We help you properly document and justify your housing allowance, including often-overlooked elements like furnished rental value. We also assist in structuring retirement plans to extend this benefit into your retirement years.
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Absolutely. We have experience helping pastors who maintain multiple income sources, helping to ensure proper tax treatment and maximizing benefits across all income streams while keeping an eye on compliance with regulations.
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We specialize in pastoral finances and understand the unique challenges and opportunities ministers face. Our experience with church-specific tax laws, retirement plans, and housing allowances allows us to provide targeted solutions that generic financial advisors often miss.
A Word from Seth
“I’ve been close to pastors pretty much my whole Christian life. I’ve seen firsthand the sacrifice that pastors and their family give in order to serve the kingdom of God…
We’re very stewardship-minded at Heartwood.
We recognize that our position—both within the faith community and in our local community—is ultimately a gift from God. It all belongs to Him. Our responsibility is to ask: How do we leverage the influence, resources, and reputation we've been entrusted with to advance God's kingdom?”
DISCOVER YOUR FINANCIAL PATH
Take the Next Step Towards Financial Peace.
Heartwood Financial Planning Is Here To Help You Navigate Your Finances With Confidence.
SETH SCOTT, AAMS™
/ Founder & Lead Financial Planner
✔ CHURCH BOARD MEMBER
✔ 20+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS A WORSHIP LEADER
✔ SPECIALIZED IN PASTORAL FINANCES