Bars certain employees of certain public agencies from participating in PERS; repeals law permitting PERS and TPAF members on leave who work for labor organization to purchase pension credit.
Impact
The bill effectively redefines which entities and employees are eligible for state retirement programs, thereby discouraging certain public agencies from offering PERS enrollment to new hires. Current employees with 10 or more years of service credit are exempt from these new regulations. The changes may lead to significant shifts in recruitment and retention strategies for public agencies, which may result in challenges in attracting new talent if the benefits do not align with other sectors.
Summary
Assembly Bill A948 aims to reform participation in New Jersey's retirement systems by barring certain employees of specific public agencies from enrolling in the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). This bill particularly targets newly hired officers and employees who have less than 10 years of service credit. It intends to revoke healthcare benefits eligibility under the State Health Benefits Program for these individuals, fundamentally changing the retirement landscape for public sector workers within particular organizations, such as the New Jersey State League of Municipalities and various educational associations.
Contention
A key point of contention surrounding A948 is its potential to undermine the financial security of public employees, particularly those beginning their careers or those with less than a decade of service. Critics argue that removing eligibility for health benefits for a significant number of public workers raises concerns about workforce stability and moral obligations to support those in public service. Additionally, there are concerns over the implications for labor organizations, as the bill repeals previous laws permitting PERS and Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) members on leave to purchase pension credits, which could weaken labor representation and worker rights in various sectors.
Carry Over
Bars certain employees of certain public agencies from participating in PERS; repeals law permitting PERS and TPAF members on leave who work for labor organization to purchase pension credit.
Bars certain employees of certain public agencies from participating in PERS; repeals law permitting PERS and TPAF members on leave who work for labor organization to purchase pension credit.
Permits certain PERS members to collect pension while earning salary; makes certain local administrators and prosecutors eligible for PERS membership; permits State employees not covered by collective negotiations to enroll in negotiated health plans.
Permits certain PERS members to collect pension while earning salary; makes certain local administrators and prosecutors eligible for PERS membership; permits State employees not covered by collective negotiations to enroll in negotiated health plans.
Extends membership in TPAF to four years after discontinuance of service and to 20 years for those who were laid off or had 10 or more years of continuous service upon voluntary termination.
Extends membership in TPAF to four years after discontinuance of service and to 20 years for those who were laid off or had 10 or more years of continuous service upon voluntary termination.
Extends membership in TPAF to four years after discontinuance of service and to 20 years for those who were laid off or had 10 or more years of continuous service upon voluntary termination.
Bars certain employees of certain public agencies from participating in PERS; repeals law permitting PERS and TPAF members on leave who work for labor organization to purchase pension credit.
Broadens eligibility for certain civil service and pension benefits for veterans by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
Broadens eligibility for certain civil service and pension benefits for veterans by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
Broadens eligibility for certain civil service and pension benefits for veterans by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.
Broadens eligibility for certain civil service and pension benefits for veterans by eliminating requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations.