Group Urges Lawmakers to Allow CITs in 403(b)s for 14.5 Million Faith-Based and Nonprofit Workers
The National Association of Christian Lawmakers (NACL) is pushing for 403(b) retirement plans that serve educators, churches and charitable entities to gain access to Collective Investment Trusts (CITs).
NACL today announced it has adopted a resolution urging the President of the United States, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and Congress to take immediate action to ensure retirement fairness for pastors, faith-based workers, nonprofit employees, educators, and other public-service professionals by allowing CIT access, as 401(k) plans enjoy.
The resolution, which passed at the NACL’s most recent meeting, highlights a longstanding inequity affecting approximately 14.5 million Americans who rely on 403(b) retirement plans. While many private-sector workers participating in 401(k) plans can access CITs, investment vehicles that often offer lower fees and greater flexibility, many 403(b) participants remain restricted from utilizing the same retirement-saving tools.
“Those who dedicate their lives to serving others should not be penalized when it comes to preparing for retirement,” said Jason Rapert, Founder and President of NACL. “Pastors, ministry leaders, church employees, nonprofit workers, and educators spend their careers strengthening families, communities, and institutions. They deserve the same opportunities to maximize their retirement savings as workers in the private sector.”
“Federal policymakers should act swiftly to modernize retirement regulations and ensure equal treatment across retirement plans.”
NACL’s Jason Rapert
The NACL resolution urges the SEC to use its existing authority to permit eligible 403(b) plans to invest in CITs and calls on Congress to enact any necessary statutory reforms to eliminate remaining legal and regulatory obstacles.
“Federal policymakers should act swiftly to modernize retirement regulations and ensure equal treatment across retirement plans,” Rapert continued. “This policy should be adopted at the federal level so that faith-based workers, nonprofit employees, and public servants are afforded the same investment opportunities available to millions of private-sector workers. Retirement security should not depend on whether someone works for a corporation or answers a calling to serve others.”
While SECURE 2.0 amended the tax code to allow for 403(b) plans to have legal access to CITs, corresponding changes to federal securities laws remain pending in Congress. In December 2025, the House of Representatives passed the INVEST Act, which included the Retirement Fairness for Charities and Educational Institutions Act. That bill successfully aims to amend the securities laws to fully authorize CITs across ERISA-governed and eligible nonprofit 403(b) plans. Despite strong bipartisan support, the CIT provisions still await full Senate approval.
During the 2026 NAPA 401(k) Summit in Tampa, American Retirement Association CEO Brian Graff acknowledged the bipartisan support of allowing CITs in 403(b)s, but noted that getting any legislation passed in Congress this year will be a challenge.
“We are really still very much committed to trying to get this done, and we’re as frustrated as you that for whatever reason it hasn’t gotten done,” Graff said during the summit. “A lot of it is more to do with finding a vehicle than it is the substance of this rule, but we’re somewhat hopeful that perhaps in a lame duck session that a small capital markets package will move, and that’s what we’re going to be aiming for.”
Founded in 2020, the National Association of Christian Lawmakers brings together federal, state, and local lawmakers committed to advancing biblical principles in public policy and governance. NACL members develop model statutes, ordinances, resolutions, and public policy initiatives that address significant issues from a biblical worldview.
SEE ALSO:
• House Passes INVEST Act, Sends it to Senate
• SEC Informal Guidance Clears Path for PEP Growth and CIT Access
Veteran financial services industry journalist Brian Anderson joined 401(k) Specialist as Managing Editor in January 2019. He has led editorial content for a variety of well-known properties including Insurance Forums, Life Insurance Selling, National Underwriter Life & Health, and Senior Market Advisor. He has always maintained a focus on providing readers with timely, useful information intended to help them build their business.