Eder Financial to transform into a benevolent ministry supporting sustainability and vitality initiatives across the Church of the Brethren
ELGIN, ILLINOIS – April 14, 2026 – Eder Financial announced a significant organizational transition following action taken on Monday, April 13, when the Church of the Brethren Standing Committee, meeting in special session, endorsed Everence® Financial as the denomination’s employee benefits and organizational investing provider of choice. The action, requested by Eder Financial, will transition these services from Eder to Everence, with the process beginning later this year and expected to conclude by March 2027.
Eder Financial has served the Church of the Brethren and its members for 83 years by providing retirement, insurance, deferred gift, and money management services to pastors, church workers, congregations, and affiliated organizations. The organization has also administered a benevolent fund to assist pastors and church workers experiencing extraordinary financial needs.
“This is the most important announcement I have ever made in this role,” said Nevin Dulabaum, President of Eder Financial. “After deep reflection, prayer, and months of discernment, our Board concluded that this transition is the most responsible and faithful path forward for the members and organizations we serve.”
Changing Demographics and Financial Realities
Like many small, independent organizations, Eder Financial has faced increasing challenges since the COVID-19 pandemic. Shifts in denominational demographics have significantly reduced the pool of full-time, benefits-eligible pastors. Today, approximately 70 percent of Church of the Brethren congregations are served by part-time pastors who are unable to access full benefit packages. As a result, only about 200 congregations currently have employees actively contributing to the Eder Retirement Plan.
Although Eder continues to serve districts, regions, denominational offices, and some Brethren retirement communities, its overall client base has declined substantially. At the same time, the organization’s staffing, product offerings, and service expectations have expanded, creating financial pressures that are no longer sustainable.
“We cannot continue to operate the way we have,” Dulabaum said. “Our client base has declined, while the scale required to offer competitive pricing and expanded services has grown beyond what we can sustain independently.”
Protecting Members and Selecting a Partner
In 2024, Eder sold its retirement plan annuities to ensure that members’ accrued benefits would never be reduced, protecting participants from outcomes experienced by some retirees in earlier decades. In 2025, Eder distributed excess funds to former retirees, reflecting favorable market conditions following the annuity sale.
While benchmarking showed Eder’s fees aligned with the services provided, with annuity obligations resolved, the Eder Board determined it could responsibly seek a partner capable of offering lower fees, additional products, and broader access for all Brethren members. After a comprehensive search, the Board selected Everence Financial, the benefits ministry of the Mennonite church.
Everence manages assets approximately 16 times larger than Eder and employs more than 400 staff members, compared with Eder’s fewer than 30. These economies of scale enable Everence to offer lower fees, a broader range of products, and socially conscious investment options, while serving both employees and non-employee members. Everence already serves a number of Brethren individuals, congregations, and organizations.
Eder’s New Mission
As part of the transition, Eder Financial will transform into a benevolent ministry. Drawing on reserve funds originally established when Eder operated a self-insured medical plan in the 1990s—funds that have grown over the past three decades—Eder plan’s to use investment earnings to support sustainability and vitality initiatives across the Church of the Brethren.
In addition, Eder will continue administering the Church Workers’ Assistance Plan and establish a renewed benevolent fund to support congregations and church-related organizations.
“This news may come as a shock and may be disappointing to some,” Dulabaum acknowledged. “Emotionally, we wish we could continue serving in the ways we always have. But rationally and faithfully, we know these next steps are clear. The church of today and tomorrow is not the church of yesterday, and we must be realistic about the opportunities before us.”
Eder Financial will continue serving members and clients during the transition period and will provide advance notice before accounts are moved to the Everence platform. Frequently asked questions and regular updates are available on Eder’s website.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve pastors, church workers, congregations, and organizations for 83 years,” Dulabaum said. “We look forward to continuing meaningful service within the denomination in a new way.”
The purpose of these meetings is to address and clarify questions arising from the Standing Committee Meeting held on April 13. If desired, please attend on the day that works best for you.
There is a 300-person limit to the Zoom platform. An additional meeting may be scheduled in the future to accommodate more persons, if needed. The details will be announced.
Zoom Link: https://ederfinancial-org.zoom.us/j/81011044271
Meeting ID: 810 1104 4271
Zoom Link: https://ederfinancial-org.zoom.us/j/84323605605
Meeting ID: 843 2360 5605
The Church of the Brethren Standing Committee met in special session on April 13 to endorse Everence Financial as the denominations’ employee benefits and organizational investing provider of choice. For that reason, Eder Financial will begin its exit from the employee benefits and organizational investing business.
Existing Eder members and clients will continue using Eder’s services until they are notified that their account is going to be transferred to Everence later this year. Members and clients will be given ample notice.
Beginning in May 2026, new clients opening new accounts can begin working directly with Everence Financial.
For now, nothing. Eder Financial will continue serving members and clients during the transition. Both Eder Financial and Everence Financial will communicate the next steps by early June and will provide advanced notice before accounts are moved to the Everence platform.
For more than 80 years, Everence (formerly known as Mennonite Mutual Aid) and its affiliates, and Eder Financial (previously Church of the Brethren Benefit Trust) and its affiliates, have served Anabaptists and other like-minded denominations. The Brethren and Mennonite traditions have a long history of working side by side, and sometimes together. In fact, Everence already is serving some Brethren individuals and organizations. Both Eder and Everence are shaped by the historic Anabaptist conviction that all we have belongs to God and should be faithfully managed for the good of others (Psalm 24).
Eder Financial will transform into a benevolent ministry where it will try to support endeavors of sustainability and vitality. In addition, Eder Financial will continue to administer Church Workers’ Assistance Plan.
In 2026, yes, as it will continue to serve some members and clients up until first quarter 2027. From then on, if it attends denominational events, it will be doing so as the reimagined benevolent organization.
Email us at customerservice@eder.org
Our team is available to assist you during our regular business hours, 8AM-4PM CST.
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