New Jersey Assembly Bill A353

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Requires public employers that offer deferred compensation retirement plans to also offer Roth contribution option.

Impact

Currently, public employees can participate in deferred compensation plans, but there is no statutory requirement for employers to provide a Roth option. By mandating that Roth contributions be available, A353 is designed to offer more flexibility in how public employees can save for retirement. It supplements existing New Jersey statutes regarding deferred compensation and provides clarity on what pension plan offerings must include. This change is expected to positively impact employee retirement planning across the state.

Summary

Assembly Bill A353 requires public employers in New Jersey who offer deferred compensation retirement plans to also provide a Roth contribution option. This legislation aims to enable employees to make after-tax contributions to their retirement accounts, which would allow for tax-free withdrawals of both contributions and earnings once the employees retire. The bill seeks to enhance the retirement savings options available to public employees, aligning the state's regulations on deferred compensation with the growing preference among employees for Roth accounts.

Contention

While the bill is expected to benefit employees by broadening their retirement choices, there may be discussions about the fiscal implications for public employers who must implement these new requirements. Some stakeholders may argue about the potential costs associated with introducing and managing Roth options within existing retirement plans. Additionally, the necessity of requiring yet another choice in an already complex system may raise questions about administrative burden and employee understanding of the differing options available.