As a full-time lay employee, you automatically become a participant in the Archdiocese Pension Plan after you complete one year of full-time service. After becoming a participant of the Pension Plan, you begin building your pension service. For each year you work at least 30 hours a week (or for eight consecutive months if your regular employment period is the school year), you earn credit for one year of membership service. Once you earn five continuous years of membership service, you qualify for a lifetime pension when you reach retirement age. Those individuals working less than 30 hours per week are not eligible for this plan benefit.