reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-38.1 - Limitation on death benefits

18A:66-38.1. Limitation on death benefits
a. Any person entitled to become a member of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund shall not be allowed any of the death benefits established by sections 18A:66-36, 18A:66-37, 18A:66-38, 18A:66-41, 18A:66-42, 18A:66-44 and 18A:66-46e. If on the date he files an application for membership he is 60 or more years of age or if he makes application for membership beyond the year after he first became eligible for membership, regardless of age, unless the member furnishes satisfactory evidence of insurability and on the effective date of his membership is actively at work and performing all his regular duties at his customary place of employment.
The effective date of coverage for such death benefits shall be the first day of the month which immediately follows the date when such evidence is determined to be satisfactory.
b. Such evidence of insurability will not be required of any person becoming a member of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund upon transfer from another State-administered retirement system if such system provided death benefits of a similar nature and the transferring member was covered by such benefits at the time of the transfer. If such transferring member was not covered by such benefits at the time of the transfer, he may be allowed the death benefits of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund subject to the provisions of subsection a. of this section; provided, however, that any such member must furnish satisfactory evidence of insurability under the provisions of subsection a. of this section if he had been unable or failed to give such evidence as a member of the system from which he transferred.
c. Any person who must furnish satisfactory evidence of insurability under the provisions of this section and who ceases to be a member of the retirement system without such evidence having been given shall continue to be subject to the same requirement if he subsequently becomes a member.
L.1971, c. 121, s. 38, eff. April 29, 1971.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-39.2 - Inapplicability relative to certain transferred service credit.

18A:66-39.2 Inapplicability relative to certain transferred service credit.
13. The provisions of N.J.S.18A:66-39 as amended by P.L.2010, c.3, and section 10 of P.L.2010, c.3 (C.18A:66-39.1), concerning persons who become members of the retirement system on or after the effective date of P.L.2010, c.3 shall not apply to a person who at the time of enrollment in the retirement system on or after that effective date transfers service credit, as permitted, from another State-administered retirement system or fund of which the person was a member immediately prior to the effective date and continuously thereafter, but shall apply to a former member of the retirement system who has been granted a retirement allowance and is reenrolled in the retirement system on or after that effective date after becoming employed again in a position that makes the person eligible to be a member of the retirement system.
L.2010, c.3, s.13.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-41 - Ordinary disability allowances.

18A:66-41 Ordinary disability allowances.
18A:66-41. A member upon retirement for ordinary disability shall receive a retirement allowance which shall consist of:
(a) an annuity which shall be the actuarial equivalent of his accumulated deductions at the time of his retirement together with regular interest after January 1, 1956; and
(b) a pension in the amount which, when added to the member's annuity, will provide a total retirement allowance of 1.64% of final compensation multiplied by his number of years of creditable service; and provided further, that in no event shall the allowance be less than 43.6% of final compensation.
Upon the receipt of proper proofs of the death of a member who has retired on an ordinary disability retirement allowance, there shall be paid to such member's beneficiary, an amount equal to 1 1/2 times the compensation upon which contributions by the member to the annuity savings fund were based in the last year of creditable service or in the year of the member's highest contractual salary, whichever is higher; provided, however, that if such death shall occur after the member shall have attained age 60, the amount payable shall equal 3/16 of such compensation. The death benefits provided in this section shall apply to any member who has retired or shall retire on or after January 1, 1956.
L.1967, c.271; amended 1971, c.121, s.22; 1995, c.410, s.2; 2001, c.353, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-41.1 - Increase in retirement allowance for retiree, beneficiary under N.J.S.18A:66-41 or N.J.S.18A:66-47.

18A:66-41.1 Increase in retirement allowance for retiree, beneficiary under N.J.S.18A:66-41 or N.J.S.18A:66-47.
2. The retirement allowance of each retiree under N.J.S.18A:66-41, or the retiree's beneficiary pursuant to N.J.S.18A:66-47, on the effective date of P.L.2001, c.353 shall be increased by a percentage equivalent to the percentage increase in the fraction of final compensation for each year of credited service for the total retirement allowance under these sections made by this act, P.L.2001, c.353 (C.18A:66-41.1 et al.). The provisions of section 7 of P.L.1969, c.169 (C.43:3B-8) shall not be applicable to the increases in retirement allowances provided by this section.
L.2001,c.353,s.2.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-42 - Accidental disability allowances.

18A:66-42 Accidental disability allowances.
18A:66-42. A member under 65 years of age upon retirement for accidental disability shall receive a retirement allowance which shall consist of:
(a) an annuity which shall be the actuarial equivalent of his accumulated deductions at the time of his retirement together with regular interest after January 1, 1956; and
(b) a pension in the amount which, when added to the member's annuity, will provide a total retirement allowance of 72.7% of his actual annual compensation for which contributions were being made at the time of the occurrence of the accident.
Upon the receipt of proper proofs of the death of a member who has retired on an accidental disability retirement allowance, there shall be paid to such member's beneficiary, an amount equal to 1 1/2 times the compensation upon which contributions by the member to the annuity savings fund were based in the last year of creditable service or in the year of the member's highest contractual salary, whichever is higher; provided, however, that if such death shall occur after the member shall have attained age 60, the amount payable shall equal 3/16 of such compensation. The death benefits provided in this section shall apply to any member who has retired or shall retire on or after January 1, 1956.
L.1967, c.271; amended 1971, c.121, s.23; 1995, c.410, s.3; 2001, c.353, s.3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-42.1 - Increase in retirement allowance under N.J.S.18A:66-42 or N.J.S.18A:66-47.

18A:66-42.1 Increase in retirement allowance under N.J.S.18A:66-42 or N.J.S.18A:66-47.
4. The retirement allowance of each retiree under N.J.S.18A:66-42, or the retiree's beneficiary pursuant to N.J.S.18A:66-47, on the effective date of P.L.2001, c.353 shall be increased from 2/3 to 72.7% of the actual annual compensation for which contributions were being made at the time of the occurrence of the accident. The provisions of section 7 of P.L.1969, c.169 (C.43:3B-8) shall not be applicable to the increases in retirement allowances provided by this section.
L.2001,c.353,s.4.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-42.2 - Payment of normal contribution for increased benefits under N.J.S.18A:66-41 and N.J.S.18A:66-42 for active members.

18A:66-42.2 Payment of normal contribution for increased benefits under N.J.S.18A:66-41 and N.J.S.18A:66-42 for active members.
5. The normal contribution for the increased benefits for active members under N.J.S.18A:66-41 and N.J.S.18A:66-42 as amended by sections 1 and 3 of P.L.2001, c.353 shall be paid from the benefit enhancement fund established pursuant to N.J.S.18A:66-16. If there are excess valuation assets after reductions in normal contributions and member contributions, the amount of excess valuation assets credited to the benefit enhancement fund shall include the present value of the expected additional normal contributions attributable to the provisions of N.J.S.18A:66-41 and N.J.S.18A:66-42 as amended by sections 1 and 3 of P.L.2001, c.353 payable on behalf of the active members over the expected working lives of the active members in accordance with the tables of actuarial assumptions for the valuation period. No additional excess valuation assets shall be credited to the benefit enhancement fund after the maximum amount is attained. Interest shall be credited to the benefit enhancement fund as provided under N.J.S.18A:66-25. If assets in the benefit enhancement fund are insufficient to pay the normal contribution for the increased benefits for a valuation period, the State shall pay the amount of normal contribution for the increased benefits not covered by assets from the benefit enhancement fund.
L.2001,c.353,s.5.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-43 - Retirement for service age limits.

18A:66-43 Retirement for service age limits.
18A:66-43. Retirement for service shall be as follows: (a) A person who was a member before the effective date of P.L.2008, c.89 and has attained 60 years of age may retire on a service retirement allowance by filing with the retirement system a written application, duly attested, stating at which time subsequent to the execution and filing thereof he desires to be retired. The board of trustees shall retire him at the time specified or at such other time within 1 month after the date so specified as the board finds advisable.
(b) A person who becomes a member on or after the effective date of P.L.2008, c.89 and has attained 62 years of age may retire on a service retirement allowance by filing with the retirement system a written application, duly attested, stating at which time subsequent to the execution and filing thereof the member desires to be retired. The board of trustees shall retire the member at the time specified or at such other time within 1 month after the date so specified as the board finds advisable.
(c) A person who becomes a member on or after the effective date of P.L.2011, c.78 and has attained 65 years of age may retire on a service retirement allowance by filing with the retirement system a written application, duly attested, stating at which time subsequent to the execution and filing thereof the member desires to be retired. The board of trustees shall retire the member at the time specified or at such other time within 1 month after the date so specified as the board finds advisable.
amended 1971, c.121, s.24. 2008. c.89, s.21; 2011, c.78, s.37.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-44 - Service retirement allowances.

18A:66-44 Service retirement allowances.
18A:66-44. A member, upon retirement for service, shall receive a retirement allowance consisting of:
(a) an annuity which shall be the actuarial equivalent of his accumulated deductions, together with interest after January 1, 1956, less any excess contributions as provided in N.J.S.18A:66-20; and
(b) a pension in the amount which, when added to the member's annuity, will provide a total retirement allowance of 1/64 of final compensation for each year of service credited as class A service and 1/55 of final compensation for each year of service credited as class B service, or for a person who becomes a member of the retirement system on or after the effective date of P.L.2010, c.1 1/60 of final compensation for each year of service credited as class B service.
Upon the receipt of proper proofs of the death of a member who has retired on a service retirement allowance, there shall be paid to the member's beneficiary, an amount equal to 3/16 of the compensation upon which contributions by the member to the annuity savings fund were based in the last year of creditable service or in the year of the member's highest contractual salary, whichever is higher.
amended 1971, c.121, s.25; 1995, c.410, s.4; 2001, c.133, s.6; 2010, c.1, s.10.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-45 - Thirty-five year present-entrant allowances

18A:66-45. Thirty-five year present-entrant allowances
Any present-entrant member who has had 35 years of service as a teacher to his credit shall be retired at his request, irrespective of his age, and shall receive a retirement allowance, calculated in accordance with section 18A:66-44, consisting of not less than 1/70 of his final compensation for each year of credited service at retirement.
L.1967, c.271.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-46 - Accidental death benefits.

18A:66-46 Accidental death benefits.
18A:66-46. a. Upon the death of a member in active service as a result of:
(1) an accident met in the actual performance of duty at some definite time and place, or
(2) service in the reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard in a federal active duty status, and not as the result of his willful negligence, an accidental death benefit shall be payable, if a report of the accident is filed in the office of the retirement system within 60 days next following the accident, but the board of trustees may waive such time limit, for a reasonable period, if in the judgment of the board the circumstances warrant such action.
No such application shall be valid or acted upon unless it is filed in the office of the retirement system within five years of the date of such death.
b. Upon the receipt of proper proofs of the death of a member on account of which an accidental death benefit is payable, there shall be paid to his widow or widower a pension of 50% of the compensation, upon which contributions by the member to the annuity savings fund were based in the last year of creditable service, for the use of herself or himself and the children of the deceased member, to continue during her or his widowhood; if there is no surviving widow or widower or in the case the widow or widower dies or remarries, 20% of such compensation will be payable to one surviving child, 35% of such compensation to two surviving children in equal shares and if there be three or more children, 50% of such compensation will be payable to such children in equal shares. If there is no surviving widow, widower or child, 25% of the compensation upon which contributions by the member to the annuity savings fund were based in the last year of creditable service, will be payable to one surviving parent or 40% of such compensation will be payable to two surviving parents in equal shares. In the event of accidental death occurring in the first year of creditable service, the benefits, payable pursuant to this subsection, shall be computed at the annual rate of compensation.
c. If there is no surviving widow, widower, child or parent, there shall be paid to any other beneficiary of the deceased member his accumulated deductions at the time of death.
d. In no case shall the death benefit provided in subsection b. be less than that provided under subsection c.
e. In addition to the foregoing benefits payable under subsection b. or c., there shall also be paid in one sum to such member's beneficiary an amount equal to 1 1/2 times the compensation upon which contributions by the member to the annuity savings fund were based in the last year of creditable service.
Amended 1968, c.228, s.8; 1971, c.121, s.26; 1984, c.132, s.2; 2009, c.23, s.4.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-47.1 - Spouse's benefit elimination by teacher

18A:66-47.1. Spouse's benefit elimination by teacher
Notwithstanding the provisions of chapter 66 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes or any other law to the contrary, whenever a member of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund elects a retirement benefit which is payable for the life of the member only and terminating at his death, without refund of any kind to the spouse, the member shall be required, before electing that benefit, to sign a form stating that the member has elected that benefit, that the member understands that it is payable during the member's lifetime only and that no benefits will be payable to the member's spouse after death. The Division of Pensions, Department of the Treasury, shall notify the member's spouse if the member identifies the spouse on the form. Notification shall be by certified mail to the spouse's address as provided on the form by the member. If the member has not provided an address for the spouse on the form, the Division of Pensions, Department of the Treasury, shall send the notice, by certified mail, to the spouse at the member's address. The notice shall advise the spouse that the retirement benefit chosen by the member is payable during the member's lifetime only and that no benefits, other than any applicable life insurance benefits, shall be payable to the beneficiary after the member's death.
L. 1985, c. 382, s. 2, eff. May 1, 1986.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-47.2 - Election of death benefit or retirement allowance

18A:66-47.2. Election of death benefit or retirement allowance
Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the beneficiary of a member who has more than 37 years of service credit and who dies on or after the 24th day after filing an application for retirement and two days before the effective date of the retirement may elect to receive the death benefit payable to the member's beneficiary if the member had died in active service or the retirement allowance elected by the member and payable to the beneficiary pursuant to section 18A:66-47.
L.1989, c.272, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-47.3 - Applicability of N.J.S.18A:66-47

18A:66-47.3. Applicability of N.J.S.18A:66-47
3. N.J.S.18A:66-47 as amended by section 1 of P.L.1995, c.221 shall apply to a filing for retirement received by the retirement system on or after January 1, 1992, except it shall not apply in a situation in which benefits were paid prior to the effective date of P.L.1995, c.221 to any beneficiary other than or in addition to the beneficiary who would be eligible for benefits under N.J.S.18A:66-47 as amended by section 1 of P.L.1995, c.221. Benefits payable under N.J.S.18A:66-47 as amended by section 1 of P.L.1995, c.221 on a filing for retirement received by the retirement system prior to the effective date of P.L.1995, c.221 shall be adjusted, if necessary, to account for an insurance benefit or return of contributions paid on behalf of the member prior to the effective date of P.L.1995, c.221, and the amount of a retirement allowance or insurance benefit payable may be reduced, so that the total amount of benefit paid on behalf of the member shall not exceed the value of the benefit to which the member or beneficiary would have been entitled if P.L.1995, c.221 had been in effect on the date of the filing for retirement.
L.1995,c.221,s.3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-48 - Monthly payments; payment upon death of retirant

18A:66-48. Monthly payments; payment upon death of retirant
18A:66-48. A pension, an annuity or a retirement allowance granted under the provisions of this article shall be effective only on the first day of a month, shall be paid in equal monthly installments, and shall not be decreased, increased, revoked, or repealed, except as otherwise provided in this article; provided, however, that at the time any benefit becomes payable, any unpaid balance of a loan or arrearage outstanding shall be deducted from any benefit otherwise payable.
Upon the death of a retirant, any unpaid benefits due him shall be paid in one lump sum to such person, if living, as he shall have nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the board of trustees, otherwise to the executor or administrator of the retirant's estate. No pension, annuity or retirement allowance shall be due to a retirant or a beneficiary unless it constitutes a payment for an entire month; provided, however, that a pension, annuity or retirement allowance shall be payable for the entire month in which the retirant or beneficiary dies.
L.1967, c.271; amended 1993,c.335,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-49 - Benefits of TRF retirants

18A:66-49. Benefits of TRF retirants
Any member or beneficiary of the teachers' pension and annuity fund who was a member of the teachers' retirement fund as created by L.1896, c. 32; L.1899, c. 178; L.1900, c. 96; L.1902, c. 36; L.1903 (2nd Sp.Sess.), c. 1; L.1905, c. 95; L.1906, c. 314; L.1907, c. 139; prior to his becoming a member of the teachers' pension and annuity fund, shall receive in addition to his retirement allowance otherwise payable a pension which shall be the actuarial equivalent of the contributions, without interest, which he paid to the teachers' retirement fund prior to September 1, 1919, which he has not otherwise received.
L.1967, c.271.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-51 - Allowances exempt from taxes; assignment of group insurance policy rights and benefits

18A:66-51. Allowances exempt from taxes; assignment of group insurance policy rights and benefits
The right of a person to a pension, an annuity, or a retirement allowance, to the return of contributions, any benefit or right accrued or accruing to a person under the provisions of this article, and the moneys in the various funds created under this article, shall be exempt from any State or municipal tax and from levy and sale, garnishment, attachment or any other process arising out of any State of Federal court, and, except as hereafter in this section and as in this article otherwise provided, shall be unassignable.
Nothing in this section shall prohibit any person insured under a group insurance policy, pursuant to an arrangement among the insured, the group policyholder and the insurer, from making to any person other than his employer, a gift assignment of the rights and benefits conferred on him by any provision of such policy or by law including specifically but not by way of limitation the right to exercise the conversion privilege and the right to name a beneficiary. Any such assignment, whether made before or after the effective date of this act, shall entitle the insurer to deal with the assignee as the owner of all rights and benefits conferred on the insured under the policy in accordance with the terms of the assignment.
L.1967, c.271; amended by L.1969, c. 98, s. 1, eff. June 26, 1969.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-52 - Veterans not covered under R.S. 43:4-1.3

18A:66-52. Veterans not covered under R.S. 43:4-1.3
No veteran eligible for membership in the teachers' pension and annuity fund shall be eligible for, or receive, retirement benefits under sections 43:4-1, 43:4-2 and 43:4-3 of the Revised Statutes.
L.1967, c.271.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-53.1 - Beneficiary of member or retirant; designation; change; payments; options

18A:66-53.1. Beneficiary of member or retirant; designation; change; payments; options
The designation of beneficiary by a member or retirant shall be made in writing on a form satisfactory to the retirement system, and filed with the retirement system. The member or retirant may, from time to time and without the consent of his death benefit designee, change the beneficiary by filing written notice of the change with the system on a form satisfactory to it. The new nomination will be effective on the date the notice, in proper form, is received by the system, and any prior nomination shall thereupon become void.
If more than one beneficiary is nominated and in such nomination the member or retirant has failed to specify their respective interests, the beneficiaries shall share equally. If any beneficiary predeceases the member or retirant, the interest of such beneficiary shall terminate and shall be shared equally by such of the beneficiaries as survive the member or retirant, unless the member or retirant has made written request to the contrary in his beneficiary nomination.
Any amounts due for which there is no beneficiary at the death of a member, retirant or beneficiary shall be payable to the estate of such member, retirant or beneficiary.
Except with regard to the payment of the member's accumulated deductions with regular interest and the payment, upon the death of (1) a retirant after attaining the age of 60 or receiving an allowance pursuant to section 18A:66-37, or (2) a member after attaining the age of 70 years, of the death benefits provided in sections 18A:66-36, 18A:66-37, 18A:66-41, 18A:66-42, and 18A:66-44, a member may elect, by making written request to the retirement system, that the whole or any part of his death benefits be made payable to his beneficiary either as a life annuity or in equal installments over a period of years specified in such election, and may alter such election from time to time during his lifetime by again making such written request. In the event of a change of beneficiary, any previous arrangement by the member or retirant under this paragraph shall be void. The election set forth in this paragraph shall not apply or be available when the beneficiary is an estate, or a corporation, partnership, association, institution, trustee or any fiduciary.
If, at the member's or retirant's death, an amount of death benefit would be payable to the beneficiary in a single sum, any election with regard to such amount which was available to the member or retirant immediately prior to his death in accordance with the provisions of the immediately preceding paragraph shall then be available to such beneficiary for the benefit of such beneficiary.
L.1967, c.271; amended by L.1971, c. 121, s. 27, eff. April 29, 1971; L.1984, c. 132, s. 4, eff. Aug. 23, 1984.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-53.3 - Limitation on additional death benefit coverage

18A:66-53.3. Limitation on additional death benefit coverage
No member who enrolls on or after July 1, 1971 for the additional death benefit coverage provided by section 18A:66-53 shall be eligible for the benefits described in subsections f. and g. of the said section if such member retires with less than 10 years of participation in the program.
L.1971, c. 121, s. 41, eff. April 29, 1971.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-54 - Deductions from retirement allowance for TPAF members.

18A:66-54 Deductions from retirement allowance for TPAF members.
18A:66-54. If possible, whenever any beneficiary of the teachers' pension and annuity fund shall, in writing, request the Division of Pensions and Benefits to make deductions from the beneficiary's retirement allowance or pension for the payment of premiums for the pensioners' group health or dental insurance plan or the State Health Benefits Program, the division may make such deductions and transmit the sum so deducted to the companies carrying the policies. Any such written authorization may be withdrawn by any beneficiary upon filing notice of such withdrawal with the division. Deductions for the payment of the premiums for a group dental insurance plan shall be made by the division only if 1,000 or more beneficiaries covered by that plan have made written requests for deductions.
L.1967, c.271; amended 1971, c.121, s.29; 1997, c.332, s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-55 - Powers and privileges of a public corporation

18A:66-55. Powers and privileges of a public corporation
The teachers' pension and annuity fund shall for purposes of this article possess the powers and privileges of a public corporation, and any real property held by it as an investment and occupied by the state or any agency thereof shall be deemed for all purposes to be equivalent to and to have the same status as real property owned by the state.
L.1967, c.271.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-56.1 - Board of trustees, terms staggered

18A:66-56.1. Board of trustees, terms staggered
1. Notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S.18A:66-56 and in order to effect the staggering of the terms of the members of the board of trustees of the retirement system elected from the groups defined in the regulations of the retirement system, the terms of those members shall be as follows:
a. the member elected from Group A for a term commencing January 1, 1997, shall serve a term of three years;
b. the member elected from Group C for a term commencing January 1, 1997, shall serve a term of two years;
c. the member elected from Group B for a term commencing on January 1, 1998, shall serve a term of three years.
Members elected thereafter shall serve three-year terms.
L.1997,c.63,s.1.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-57 - Officers, actuary, legal adviser, secretary.

18A:66-57 Officers, actuary, legal adviser, secretary.
18A:66-57. The board shall elect annually from its membership a chairman and may also elect a vice chairman, who shall have all the power and authority of the chairman in the event of the death, absence or disability of the chairman. The actuary of the fund shall be selected by the Retirement Systems Actuary Selection Committee established by P.L.1992, c.125.
The actuary shall be the technical adviser of the board and the committee on matters regarding the operation of the funds created by the provisions of this article and shall perform such other duties as are required in connection therewith.
The Attorney General shall be the legal adviser of the retirement system, except that if the Attorney General determines that a conflict of interest would affect the ability of the Attorney General to represent the board or the committee on a matter affecting the retirement system, the board may select and employ legal counsel to advise and represent the board or the committee on that matter.
The chief or assistant chief of the office of secretarial services of the Division of Pensions and Benefits of the State Department of the Treasury, shall be the secretary of the board. The chief and assistant chief of the office of secretarial services shall be in the competitive division of the State classified service. The secretary presently in office shall hold the position as chief of the office of secretarial services subject to all of the provisions of Title 11 of the Revised Statutes and shall not be removed from said office except in the manner provided under the provisions of said title relating to permanent employees in the competitive division of the State classified service. The board of trustees shall select its secretary from among the eligible candidates.
amended 1970, c.57, s.6; 1992, c.41, s.6; 1992, c.125, s.3; 2011, c.78, s.6.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-58 - Actuary's report

18A:66-58. Actuary's report
The actuary shall recommend, and the Division of Pensions shall keep in convenient form, such data as shall be necessary for actuarial valuation of the various funds created by this article. At least once in every 3-year period the actuary shall make an actuarial investigation into the mortality, service and compensation or salary experience of the members and beneficiaries as defined in this article and shall make a valuation of the assets and liabilities of the various funds created by this article. Upon the basis of such investigation and valuation, with the advice of the actuary, the board shall:
(a) Adopt for the retirement system such mortality, service and other tables as shall be deemed necessary; and
(b) Certify the rates of contribution, expressed as a proportion of the compensation of members, which shall be made by the State to the contingent reserve fund.
L.1967, c.271; amended by L.1971, c. 121, s. 31, eff. April 29, 1971; L.1972, c. 157, s. 1; L.1979, c. 106, s. 7, s. eff. July 1, 1979.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-58.1 - Annuity values; determination without reference to sex

18A:66-58.1. Annuity values; determination without reference to sex
Annuity values, including actuarial equivalents under optional selections, for all members of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund shall be determined without reference to sex; provided, however, that this amendatory and supplementary act shall not limit the actuary from using sex as a factor in the actuarial valuation required pursuant to N.J.S. 18A:66-68.
L.1979, c. 106, s. 9, eff. Jan. 1, 1980.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-59 - Annual reports

18A:66-59. Annual reports
The retirement system shall publish annually a report showing a valuation of the assets and liabilities of the funds created by this article, certifying as to the accumulated cash and securities of the funds and stating other facts pertaining to the system. The board shall submit the report to the Governor and furnish a copy to every employer for use of the members and the public.
L.1967, c.271; amended by L.1971, c. 121, s. 32, eff. April 29, 1971.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-60 - No interest in fund by trustees or employees

18A:66-60. No interest in fund by trustees or employees
Except as otherwise herein provided, no trustee and no employee of the board of trustees shall have any direct interest in the gains or profits of any investments of the retirement system; nor shall any trustee or employee of the board directly or indirectly, for himself or as an agent, in any manner use the moneys of the retirement system, except to make such current and necessary payments as are authorized by the board of trustees; nor shall any trustee or employee of the board of trustees become an endorser or surety, or in any manner an obligor for moneys loaned to or borrowed from the retirement system.
L.1967, c.271; amended by L.1970, c. 57, s. 7, eff. May 18, 1970.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-61 - Trustees to control funds, investment council member, finance committee.

18A:66-61 Trustees to control funds, investment council member, finance committee.
18A:66-61. The board of trustees shall be and are hereby constituted trustees of the various funds and accounts established by this article; provided, however, that all functions, powers and duties relating to the investment or reinvestment of moneys of, and purchase, sale or exchange of any investments or securities, of or for any fund or account established under this article, shall be exercised and performed by the Director of the Division of Investment in accordance with the provisions of chapter 270, of the laws of 1950. The secretary of the board of trustees shall determine from time to time the cash requirements of the various funds and accounts established by this article and the amount available for investment, all of which shall be certified to the Director of the Division of Investment.
An elected member of the board of trustees to be designated by a majority vote thereof shall serve on the state investment council as a representative of said board of trustees, for a term of three years and until a successor is designated and qualified.
The finance committee of the board of trustees shall be appointed on or before July 1 of each calendar year by the chairman of the board of trustees to serve through June 30 of the ensuing calendar year and until their successors are appointed. The finance committee of the board of trustees shall consist of three members of the board of trustees, one of whom shall be the State Treasurer.
amended 1970, c.57, s.8; 2011, c.78, s.29.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-62 - Treasurer custodian of funds

18A:66-62. Treasurer custodian of funds
The state treasurer shall be the custodian of the funds created by this article, shall select all depositories and custodians and shall negotiate and execute custody agreements in connection with the assets or investments of any of said funds.
All payments from the funds shall be made by him only upon voucher signed by the chairman and countersigned by the secretary of the board of trustees. No voucher shall be drawn, except upon the authority of the board duly entered in the record of its proceedings.
L.1967, c.271.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-63 - Correction of errors by trustees

18A:66-63. Correction of errors by trustees
If any change or error in records results in a member or beneficiary receiving from the retirement system more or less than he would have been entitled to receive had the records been correct, then on discovery of the error, the board of trustees shall correct it and, so far as practicable, adjust the payments in such a manner that the actuarial equivalent of the benefit to which he was correctly entitled shall be paid.
L.1967, c.271.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-64 - False statements to defraud, misdemeanors

18A:66-64. False statements to defraud, misdemeanors
A person who knowingly makes a false statement, or falsifies or permits to be falsified any record of the retirement system, in an attempt to defraud the system as a result of such act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
L.1967, c.271.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-65 - Agreement on social security

18A:66-65. Agreement on social security
The authorization and direction of the state agency, with the approval of the governor, to enter on behalf of the state into an agreement with the secretary of the United States department of health, education and welfare for the purposes of extending the provisions of the federal old-age and survivors insurance system to service performed by employees in positions covered by the provisions of sections 24 to 110, inclusive, of chapter 13 of Title 18 of the Revised Statutes of New Jersey or by this article; provided, however,
(a) That such employees are members of a retirement system coverage group within the meaning of the social security act as amended;
(b) That the agreement shall not be made applicable to services in such positions so long as said positions are barred from coverage by the provisions of the social security act as amended;
(c) That the agreement shall be consistent with the terms and provisions of this article. It shall cover all employment in positions covered by the teachers' pension and annuity fund on June 1, 1955 and each board of education or other employer in the state shall be deemed to have submitted a plan in accordance with the provisions of section 5 of chapter 253, of the laws of 1951; and
(d) That the effective date of said social security agreement shall be January 1, 1955;
is continued and action heretofore taken pursuant thereto is ratified and confirmed.
L.1967, c.271.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-66 - State, employer share of social security obligations

18A:66-66. State, employer share of social security obligations
18A:66-66. The State shall provide the amount of the employer's share of the social security contributions for members by appropriations upon certification by the State Treasurer as to the amounts required; provided, however, that the State's provision for the social security contributions shall be limited to contributions upon compensation upon which members' contributions to the retirement system are based. The employer shall pay the employer's share of social security contribution upon all other wages.
L.1967, c.271; amended 1990,c.52,s.79; 1991,c.246,s.2; 1993,c.7,s.7.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-68 - Effect of abolition of social security offset

18A:66-68. Effect of abolition of social security offset
The repeal, by section 11 of chapter 66 of the laws of 1966, saved from repeal in section 18A:66-92 of this article, of section 68 of chapter 37 of the laws of 1955, chapter 218 of the laws of 1956, chapter 123 of the laws of 1960, chapter 108 of the laws of 1962, chapter 190 of the laws of 1964, shall not be construed to provide for any retroactive effect and where a member's retirement allowance was reduced by the amount of the old age insurance benefit under Title II of the social security act, paid or payable to him, whether received or not, such reduction ceased, or if such reduction was to be made upon the member's attainment of 65, no such reduction shall be made, on or after July 1, 1966.
L.1967, c.271.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-69 - Limitations on death benefits or other benefits

18A:66-69. Limitations on death benefits or other benefits
Any other provision of this article notwithstanding, (a) any member who is not covered under the old-age and survivors insurance provisions of Title II of the Federal Social Security Act as a teacher shall not be eligible for the death benefit provisions of sections 18A:66-36, 18A:66-37, 18A:66-38, 18A:66-41, 18A:66-42, 18A:66-44, 18A:66-46e, and 18A:66-53, except for the payment of accumulated deductions together with regular interest; (b) no beneficiary of a pensioner who enrolled as a member on or after July 1, 1971 and who retired for any reason other than disability shall be entitled to receive benefits pursuant to the noncontributory death benefit coverages provided by this article if the pensioner had less than 10 years of service credit for retirement purposes at the time of retirement; (c) no member or beneficiary shall be entitled to receive a monthly retirement allowance or other benefit payable pursuant to this article unless the amount of the allowance or benefit would be at least $25.00 per month.
L.1967, c.271; amended by L.1971, c. 121, s. 33, eff. April 29, 1971.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-70.1 - Permission for member to cancel purchase of credit

18A:66-70.1. Permission for member to cancel purchase of credit
7. If, following application by a member of the retirement system to purchase credit therein under any provision of article 1 of chapter 66 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes, as amended and supplemented, the member attains qualification as a veteran member pursuant to the enactment of a law, the adoption of a rule or regulation, the revision of an administrative interpretation or application of such a rule or regulation, or any other official act, the member shall be permitted, upon written application to the retirement system within two years following the effective date of that law, rule, regulation, revision, or other act or within two years of the effective date of P.L.1995, c.406 (C.43:15A-60.2 et al.), whichever is later, to terminate any remaining obligation to complete the purchase and to receive a return of all contributions deducted or other payments made on or after the effective date of the law, rule, regulation, revision, or other act in connection with the purchase. If any service has been credited under the retirement system to the member in connection with the purchase, the amount of that service so credited shall be reduced in proportion to the return to the member hereunder of any contributions or other payments.
L.1995,c.406,s.7.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-71.1 - Veterans' retirement allowance

18A:66-71.1. Veterans' retirement allowance
3. a. A retiree of the system who meets the definition of a veteran pursuant to this act, or the surviving spouse of a retiree, shall be eligible to receive the special veterans' retirement allowance pursuant to N.J.S.18A:66-71 in lieu of the retirement allowance that a retiree, or the surviving spouse of a retiree, is receiving on the effective date of this act.
b. The provisions of section 7 of P.L.1969, c.169 (C.43:3B-8) shall not apply to the benefit increase that results from this 1991 amendatory and supplementary act, and the annual cost of living adjustment received by widows and widowers under P.L.1958, c.143 (C.43:3B-1 et seq) shall be calculated as of the date of retirement of a retiree of the system. The State shall pay the additional costs arising from any increase in the cost of living adjustment received by a retiree of the system who meets the definition of a veteran as a result of this act or the surviving spouse of a retiree.
c. No retiree of the system who meets the definition of a veteran pursuant to this act, or the surviving spouse of a retiree, shall be granted a retroactive payment based upon the difference between the retirement allowance that the retiree of the system, or the surviving spouse of the retiree, would have received if that retiree of the system had met the definition of a veteran on the date of retirement and the retirement allowance that the retiree of the system, or the surviving spouse of the retiree, has received from the date of retirement to the effective date of this act.
L.1991,c.390,s.3.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-71.2 - Increase in retirement allowance under subsection a. of N.J.S.18A:66-71 and N.J.S.18A:66-47.

18A:66-71.2 Increase in retirement allowance under subsection a. of N.J.S.18A:66-71 and N.J.S.18A:66-47.
7. The retirement allowance of each retiree under subsection a. of N.J.S.18A:66-71, or the retiree's beneficiary pursuant to N.J.S.18A:66-47, on the effective date of P.L.2001, c.353, shall be increased from 50% to 54.5% of the compensation for which contributions were made during the 12-month period of membership providing the largest possible benefit to the member or the member's beneficiary. The provisions of section 7 of P.L.1969, c.169 (C.43:3B-8) shall not be applicable to the increases in retirement allowances provided by this section.
L.2001,c.353,s.7.
2023 New Jersey Revised Statutes › Title 18A - Education › Section 18A:66-71.3 - Payment of normal contribution for increased benefits under subsection a. of N.J.S.18A:66-71.

18A:66-71.3 Payment of normal contribution for increased benefits under subsection a. of N.J.S.18A:66-71.
8. The normal contribution for the increased benefits for active members under subsection a. of N.J.S.18A:66-71 as amended by section 6 of P.L.2001, c.353 shall be paid from the benefit enhancement fund established pursuant to N.J.S.18A:66-16. If there are excess valuation assets after reductions in normal contributions and member contributions, the amount of excess valuation assets credited to the benefit enhancement fund shall include the present value of the expected additional normal contributions attributable to the provisions of subsection a. of N.J.S.18A:66-71 as amended by section 6 of P.L.2001, c.353 payable on behalf of the active members over the expected working lives of the active members in accordance with the tables of actuarial assumptions for the valuation period. No additional excess valuation assets shall be credited to the benefit enhancement fund after the maximum amount is attained. Interest shall be credited to the benefit enhancement fund as provided under N.J.S.18A:66-25. If assets in the benefit enhancement fund are insufficient to pay the normal contribution for the increased benefits for a valuation period, the State shall pay the amount of normal contribution for the increased benefits not covered by assets from the benefit enhancement fund.
L.2001,c.353,s.8.