New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A743

Introduced
1/11/22  

Caption

Allows PERS ordinary disability retiree to earn up to $3,000 in PERS-covered employment annually before cancellation of disability benefit and reenrollment in PERS.

Impact

If enacted, this bill is expected to positively impact retirees by enabling them to supplement their income without the fear of losing their benefits. By raising the allowable earnings limit, it encourages productive engagement in the workforce for those who may still be able to perform some form of work, thus promoting economic independence and reducing reliance on state support. This change may also bring about increased participation in workforce roles that were previously unattainable due to stringent earning limitations.

Summary

Assembly Bill 743 allows ordinary disability retirees from the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to earn up to $3,000 annually from PERS-covered employment without losing their disability benefits or being required to reenroll in the retirement system. Currently, any PERS ordinary disability beneficiary earning $1,500 or more annually must reenroll, which automatically cancels their disability retirement allowance until they retire again. This bill aims to provide more flexibility and financial opportunities for retirees while managing their benefits.

Contention

However, the bill may face scrutiny from those concerned about its long-term effects on the PERS fund's stability and the fairness of disability benefits. Critics might argue that allowing higher earnings without full reenrollment could lead to potential misuse of the system, with some retirees potentially overstepping their original disability conditions. Balancing the need for financial security for retirees and the integrity of the public retirement system is likely to be a point of contention during legislative deliberations.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

NJ S3997

Provides PERS members and certain retirees same benefits provided to members enrolled in retirement system before July 1, 2007.

NJ A5160

Provides PERS members and certain retirees same benefits provided to members enrolled in retirement system before July 1, 2007.

NJ A2442

Permits any member of PERS to receive accidental disability retirement allowance for disability resulting from participation in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup options.

NJ S817

Permits any member of PERS to receive accidental disability retirement allowance for disability resulting from participation in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup options.

NJ A788

Permits any member of PERS to receive accidental disability retirement allowance for disability resulting from participation in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup options.

NJ S459

Permits any member of PERS to receive accidental disability retirement allowance for disability resulting from participation in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup options.

NJ S3836

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.

NJ A5825

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.

NJ A3068

Extends eligibility for accidental disability retirement allowance to certain police officers and firefighters who participated in 9/11 WTC rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations.

NJ S1559

Permits non-instructional staff member retired from PERS to return to employment in school district for up to two years without reenrollment in PERS if employment commences during remainder of 2021-2022 and entirety of 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years.

Similar Bills

IA SSB1132

A bill for an act relating to benefits concerning members of the municipal fire and police retirement system.(See SF 505.)

IA HF2680

A bill for an act relating to public safety personnel retirement systems, the taxation of surviving spouse pension benefits, and including retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly HSB 745.) Effective date: 07/01/2024. Applicability date: 01/01/2024.

IA HF687

A bill for an act relating to police officers and fire fighters concerning civil service entrance evaluations and benefits for members of the municipal fire and police retirement system. (Formerly HSB 237.)

IA HSB237

A bill for an act relating to police officers and fire fighters concerning civil service entrance evaluations and benefits for members of the municipal fire and police retirement system.(See HF 687.)

IA SF505

A bill for an act relating to police officers and fire fighters concerning civil service entrance evaluations and benefits for members of the municipal fire and police retirement system.(Formerly SSB 1132.)

IA HSB745

A bill for an act relating to public safety personnel retirement systems, the taxation of surviving spouse pension benefits, and including retroactive applicability provisions.(See HF 2680.)

NJ S4404

Reinstates automatic COLAs for retirement benefits of certain PFRS members.

NJ A5175

Reinstates automatic COLAs for retirement benefits of certain PFRS members.