Church of England clergy members are campaigning for fairer pensions, after a Synod vote to restore them in line with pre-2011 levels has still not been enacted.

Retired vicars receive half the minimum clergy stipend of £28,680 per annum, rather than the two-thirds to which they were previously entitled.

Many also benefited from vicarage accommodation whilst working, which is lost upon retirement.

The pension cut came into force four years after the qualifying period for a full clergy pension was increased from 37 years to 41.5 years. Clergy who have been in service for fewer years will receive less than 50% of the minimum stipend.

At last year’s General Synod, a unanimous vote passed in favour of restoring pensions to two-thirds of the stipend – but so far, funds have not been released.

The Church of England’s assets have increased in value since the cut and are currently worth £10.4bn.

Campaigner Rev Marcus Gibbs, vicar of Ascension Church in Balham, told Premier the financial hardship faced by many retired clergy members is “heartbreaking”, noting that some feel so cash-strapped they have to choose between buying food or medication.  

“We've had someone say, ‘I had to move in with my children because my pension wouldn't cover even a small apartment. I feel like a burden, and it breaks my heart,’” Gibbs said.

“Someone else said, 'I gave my life to the church, moved my family from place to place - now I can't afford a home of my own'. It's just, it's really sad to be honest.”

The group is campaigning for funds to be back-dated, as many retirees have struggled financially for years.

“What we're saying as a group is 'come on, we can do better than this,'" Gibbs said. "You know, our mission is to love God, love our neighbour.

He added: “We want to be a diverse church, a church for everyone. And actually, if we get something future-looking, that's got vision to it, we're going to be the place where people want to come and serve.”