– Perpetual Membership allows a brother to voluntarily give to his Particular Lodge and the Grand Lodge of Tennessee an amount of money equal to his annual lodge dues and per capita times 20.

– The multiplier of 20 creates an amount that, if invested at 5%, will return interest income to your Lodge equal to the same amount of money it would have received in annual dues from you.

– Yes, the income from the perpetual membership fund is available for use by your lodge and the  Grand Lodge every year, even after your death.

– Every mason comes under the jurisdiction of a Grand Lodge. The operation of the Grand Lodge is important to each of us. The Grand Lodge programs, the operation of the Masonic Home, and the operation of every Lodge depends on the operation of the Grand Lodge.

– Unfortunately, we have experienced losses in membership for the past decade. These losses have had adverse effects on the finances of particular lodges. If that Lodge owns its building, the fixed cost of upkeep and operation are spread among a decreasing number of members Like the  Masonic Home Endowment Fund,the money from the perpetual memberships will be used as an endowment fund for your Particular Lodge. Only the earned income will be used to support your lodge and the Grand Lodge.

– By Masonic regulation, a subordinate lodge may grant Life Membership to only one of every fifty members. There is no requirement that the member pay for the Life Membership. However, life members are still subject to Grand Lodge dues. All members of a subordinate lodge are eligible to obtain a Perpetual Membership. After the death of a Perpetual Member, your lodge and Grand Lodge will continue to receive the earnings from the Perpetual Membership fee forever.

– No. A Perpetual Member will no longer be subject to the per capita tax.

– There is nothing to prohibit this, but consider the advantages of Perpetual Membership. First, there are no regulations compelling a Lodge to place money in a trust fund in your name. Second, the Perpetual Membership is relying on professional advisers to achieve a higher rate of return. 

– Regulations only set a minimum amount for a Perpetual Membership fee. There is no limit to the amount a Brother may voluntary contribute to increase his Perpetual Membership.

– No. The program is not really designed as a membership program. It’s intent is to create a trust fund for each particular lodge. The primary funding of this account is from Perpetual and Memorial Perpetual Memberships. It is a way for a brother to make a voluntary contribution to his Lodge and Grand Lodge. By making a donation of his dues times 21, he is revealed pf paying future dues.

– No. A Perpetual Member IS NOT exempt from special assessments made by his particular lodge, but he IS exempt from special assessments made by the Grand Lodge. It is not the intent of the regulations to interfere with the finances of any Particular Lodge. The exemption from Grand Lodge assessments is for the protection of the Particular Lodge.

– Honorary Perpetual Membership can be donated to the honor of any living or deceased Tennessee mason who is, or was at the time of his death, in good standing. The fee for this type of membership is a

– If you affiliate with another Tennessee lodge, your Perpetual Membership moves with you to your new Lodge. If you affiliate with a Lodge outside Tennessee, the Perpetual Membership fee remains with that Tennessee lodge. If you affiliated with a lodge outside of Tennessee and later returned to a Tennessee Lodge, your Perpetual Membership will be moved to your new Tennessee Lodge.

– The application form for Perpetual Membership states that the applicant understands the Perpetual Membership Fee is Non-refundable. So, although a Brother may be suspended or expelled and may not have dues card, the money remains in the Perpetual Membership Fund and his particular lodge will

– No. The perpetual membership payment (20 times) is applicable only for the lodge within which it is paid. To become a perpetual member of both lodges, or each different Lodge you may be a member of, you would have to make the payment (20 times) to each of those lodges.

– An application form is available from your lodge Secretary. It must be processed through your Lodge.