Court Opinion

ID: 4650084
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-01-08 15:08:43.000454+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:01:30.508445
License: Public Domain

NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
                            APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
     This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court." Although it is posted on the
  internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R. 1:36-3.

                                                     SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
                                                     APPELLATE DIVISION
                                                     DOCKET NO. A-3893-18T4

IN THE MATTER OF THE
ESTATE OF ROBERT LEVIN,
OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE
SERVICES.
__________________________

                Submitted November 17, 2020 – Decided January 08, 2021

                Before Judges Yannotti, Haas and Mawla.

                On appeal from the New Jersey Civil Service
                Commission, Docket No. 2019-1952.

                Joyce W. Murray and NJ Appleseed Public Interest
                Law Center, attorneys for appellant Karen Levin (Joyce
                W. Murray and Renee Steinhagen, on the briefs).

                Gurbir S. Grewal, Attorney General, attorney for
                respondent New Jersey Civil Service Commission
                (Melissa H. Raksa, Assistant Attorney General, of
                counsel; Adam B. Masef, Deputy Attorney General, on
                the brief).

PER CURIAM

       Karen Levin appeals from a final determination of the Civil Service

Commission (Commission), which denied a request on behalf of her husband's
estate for payment of Supplemental Compensation On Retirement (SCOR)

pursuant to N.J.S.A. 11A:6-16. We affirm.

                                      I.

      This appeal arises from the following facts. Robert H. Levin (Levin) was

employed in the Office of Legislative Services (OLS), where he worked for

more than thirty years. In 2016, Levin was diagnosed with a terminal illness.

On October 3, 2017, Levin filed an application for retirement with an effective

date of November 1, 2018; however, he continued to work at the OLS while

undergoing treatment for his illness. He died on May 15, 2018.

      On October 16, 2018, the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)

determined that Levin's retirement was effective pursuant to N.J.S.A. 43:15A-

50, which provides in part that when a member dies after filing an application

for retirement, the member's retirement may be deemed effective under certain

circumstances. By letter dated December 18, 2018, the State's Division of

Pensions and Benefits informed the OLS that the PERS Board had determined

Levin had "retired status."

      On January 4, 2019, the OLS submitted an application to the Commission

for the payment of SCOR on behalf of Levin's Estate. The OLS sought payment

of $15,000, which is the maximum lump sum payment for SCOR allowed under

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N.J.S.A. 11A:6-19. The Division of Agency Services denied the application

because Levin's separation from employment was "not based on retirement" as

required by N.J.A.C. 4A:6-3.1(b).

      Appellant sought review of the decision of Agency Services by the

Commission. She asserted that Levin had been a "dedicated public servant" who

worked at the OLS "through his illness, despite having accrued sick time."

Appellant stated that she and her husband had consulted with the Commission,

the OLS, the district offices of "multiple legislators," and other State officials,

who "advised specifically" that if Levin had his retirement papers "in place"

when he died, she would be able to receive payment for his accrued and unused

sick leave.

      Peri A. Horowitz, Executive Director of the OLS, submitted a letter to the

Commission in support of the appeal. Horowitz asserted that the Commission

should relax its regulation "as a matter of equity" to include posthumous

retirements. Horowitz stated that, in an appropriate case, the Commission could

interpret the term "retirement" in N.J.S.A. 11A:6-16 to include retirements

approved posthumously pursuant to N.J.S.A. 43:15A-50. Horowitz also argued

that payment of SCOR to Levin's Estate would be consistent with N.J.S.A.

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11A:6-19, which states that payment of SCOR shall be made to the employee's

estate if the employee dies before the effective date of retirement.

      On April 1, 2019, the Commission issued its final decision on the appeal.

The Commission found that Levin's Estate was not entitled to SCOR payments

under N.J.S.A. 11A:6-16 because his "separation from employment was not due

to his retirement . . . ." The Commission determined that the statutory restriction

on the payment of SCOR "may not be relaxed."

      The Commission also decided that while the Legislature enacted

legislation in 1995, which provided that the retirement of a member of a State

pension could be approved posthumously under certain circumstances, the

Legislature did not amend the statutes governing SCOR after the enactment of

that legislation. The Commission found a posthumous retirement approved

pursuant to such legislation did not require payment of SCOR.

      The Commission further noted that N.J.S.A. 11A:6-19 states that

"payment [of SCOR] shall be made to the employee's estate" if the employee

dies after the effective date of retirement but before payment is made. The

Commission found, however, that the statute did not apply in this matter. The

Commission observed that "none of the associated statutory or regulatory

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provisions provide for payment [of SCOR] when an employee dies prior to a

retirement effective date."

      In addition, the Commission noted that appellant claimed certain

individuals or agencies had assured her that SCOR would be paid to her if Levin

filed his application for retirement before his death. The Commission found,

however, that appellant did not have any "vested or other rights" as a result of

any such "administrative error." This appeal followed.

                                    II.

      Appellant first argues that the Commission's interpretation of N.J.S.A.

11A:6-16 is inconsistent with the language of the statute. We disagree.

      We note initially that courts have a limited role when reviewing an

administrative agency decision. Gerba v. Bd. of Trs., 83 N.J. 174, 189 (1980).

To warrant reversal of an agency's determination, the court "must find the

agency's decision to be 'arbitrary, capricious, or unreasonable, or [] not

supported by substantial credible evidence in the record as a whole.'" In re

Stallworth, 208 N.J. 182, 194 (2011) (quoting Henry v. Rahway State Prison, 81

N.J. 571, 579-80 (1980)). When reviewing an agency's decision, we consider:

            (1) whether the agency's action violates express or
            implied legislative policies, that is, did the agency
            follow the law; (2) whether the record contains
            substantial evidence to support the findings on which

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                                          5
            the agency based its action; and (3) whether in applying
            the legislative policies to the facts, the agency clearly
            erred in reaching a conclusion that could not reasonably
            have been made on a showing of the relevant factors.

            [In re Carter, 191 N.J. 474, 482 (2007) (quoting Mazza
            v. Bd. of Trustees, 143 N.J. 22, 25 (1995)).]

      Here, appellant contends the Commission erred by finding Levin's Estate

was not entitled to payment of SCOR under N.J.S.A. 11A:6-16. The statute

provides in pertinent part that

            [s]tate employees . . . who have been granted sick leave
            . . . shall be entitled upon retirement from a State-
            administered retirement system to receive a lump sum
            payment as supplemental compensation for each full
            day of accumulated sick leave which is credited on the
            effective date of retirement.

            [Ibid.]

      Furthermore, N.J.S.A. 11A:6-19 states that in the event a State employee

dies after the effective date of retirement but before payment of SCOR, the

payment shall be made to the employee's estate. Moreover, N.J.S.A. 11A:6-23

authorizes the Commission to adopt rules for the implementation of SCOR,

including the application and eligibility procedures. Pursuant to that authority,

the Commission adopted N.J.A.C. 4A:6-3.1, which states in pertinent part that

"[e]mployees who elect deferred retirement, or whose separation from

employment is not based on retirement, shall not be eligible for SCOR."

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      Our paramount goal in interpreting a statute is to ascertain the

Legislature's intent and "generally, the best indicator of that intent is the

statutory language." DiProspero v. Penn, 183 N.J. 477, 492 (2005) (citing

Frugis v. Bracigliano, 177 N.J. 250, 280 (2003)). We must give the words of a

statute "their ordinary meaning and significance." Ibid. (citing Lane v.

Holderman, 23 N.J. 304, 313 (1957)).

      As noted, the plain language of N.J.S.A. 11A:6-16 limits payment of

SCOR to State employees "upon retirement." Moreover, the Commission's

regulation expressly provides that a State employee is not entitled to SCOR if

the employee elects deferred retirement or the employee's separation from

employment is not based on retirement. N.J.A.C. 4A:6-3.1(a)(4).

      The Commission determined that an employee's eligibility for SCOR is

"expressly conditioned" by statute on the employee's "direct retirement from a

State-administered retirement system." The Commission found that where, as

here, the employee's separation is due to the employee's death, the employee's

estate is not entitled to SCOR.

      We must give great weight to an administrative agency's interpretation of

a statute it is charged with enforcing unless the agency's interpretation is plainly

unreasonable, contrary to the language of the statute, or inconsistent with the

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Legislature's intent. See New Jersey Association of School Administrators v.

Schundler, 211 N.J. 535, 549-52 (2012) (citing In re Freshwater Wetlands Prot.

Act Rules, 180 N.J. 478, 489 (2004)). We are convinced the Commission's

interpretation of N.J.S.A. 11A:6-16 is reasonable, consistent with the plain

language of the statute, and in accord with the Legislature's intent.

        In support of her contention that the Commission erred in its interpretation

of the statute, appellant cites Schundler. In that case, school administrators and

others challenged several regulations adopted by the Commissioner of

Education (Commissioner) to implement certain statutes enacted to reduce local

property taxes. Schundler, 211 N.J. at 539-43 (citing L. 2007, c. 53, 63, 92, and

260).

        One of the statutes capped payments for accumulated unused sick leave to

certain school board officials at $15,000. Id. at 542 (citing N.J.S.A. 18A:30-

3.5). The Commissioner adopted a regulation, which provided in part that

"[s]upplemental payment for accumulated sick leave shall be payable only at the

time of retirement and shall not be paid to the individual's estate or beneficiaries

in the event of the individual's death prior to retirement." Id. at 543 (quoting

N.J.A.C. 6A:23A-3.1(e)(6)).

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                                          8
      In addressing the challenge to this regulation, the Court stated that the

legislative history of N.J.S.A. 18A:30-3.5 indicated that the statute was intended

to "bring supplemental compensation for accumulated unused sick leave in line

with the current law and practice for State employees." Id. at 553. The Court

noted that N.J.S.A. 11A:6-16 provided for payment of SCOR to certain State

employees "upon retirement." Ibid. The Court also noted that N.J.S.A. 11A:6-

19 allows payment of SCOR to an employee's estate if the employee dies after

the effective date of retirement, but before payment is made. Ibid.

      The Court rejected the contention that the regulation improperly bars

payment to an employee's estate or beneficiary if the employee dies before

retirement. Id. at 551. The Court held the regulation was consistent with the

Legislative policy set forth in the enabling act, which is "that payment for

unused sick leave can be made only in connection with retirement." Ibid.

      The Court observed that "[i]f payments could be made to an estate

whenever an employee died, the latter law[, allowing for payments made to the

employee's estate if an employee dies after the effective date of retirement but

before payment is made,] would be meaningless." Id. at 553. The Court did not

address the question of "whether payments can be made to other state employees

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                                        9
for unused sick leave under N.J.S.A. 11A:6-16 if an employee dies before

retirement . . . ." Id. at 554.

      Here, appellant argues that N.J.S.A. 11A:6-16 should be interpreted in a

manner similar to the statute at issue in Schundler. She contends that retirement

is the focus and the sole requirement that triggers the SCOR payment under

N.J.S.A. 11A:6-16, not death nor any other type of separation from employment.

However, as we have noted, in Schundler, the Court did not address the issue of

whether N.J.S.A. 11A:6-16 requires SCOR payments when the employee dies

before retirement.

      Nevertheless, like the statute at issue in Schundler, N.J.S.A. 11A:6-16

expressly provides for payment of SCOR upon the employee's "retirement."

Here, the Commission found that SCOR should only be paid when a member 's

separation from employment is due to retirement. Nothing in Schundler requires

a different interpretation of the statute. Therefore, appellant's reliance upon

Schundler is misplaced.

                                      III.

      Appellant also argues that the Commission adopted an unduly restrictive

interpretation of the term "retirement" as used in N.J.S.A. 11A:6-16. She notes

that after Levin's death, the PERS declared his retirement to be "effective"

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pursuant to N.J.S.A. 43:15A-50. Appellant contends a "retirement" that is

approved pursuant to N.J.S.A. 43:15A-50 should be considered a "retirement"

for purposes of payment of SCOR pursuant to N.J.S.A. 11A:6-16. Again, we

disagree.

      When courts review "two separate but related statutes, the goal is to

harmonize the statutes in light of their purposes." Am. Fire & Cas. Co. v. N.J.

Div. of Tax., 189 N.J. 65, 79-80 (2006) (citing St. Peter's Univ. Hosp. v. Lacy,

185 N.J. 1, 14 (2005)).   If two statutory provisions relate "to the same subject

matter," courts must "reconcile them, so as to give effect to both expressions of

the lawmakers' will." Id. at 81 (quoting St. Peter's Univ. Hosp., 185 N.J. at 14).

"In determining whether legislative enactments 'actually concern the same

object,' a court should consider 'whether both statutes were included in one

enactment, whether the proofs required overlap, and whether they are 'designed

to serve the same purpose and objective.'" DiNapoli v. Bd. of Educ. Of Twp. of

Verona, 434 N.J. Super. 233, 241-42 (App. Div. 2014) (quoting Marino v.

Marino, 200 N.J. 315, 330 (2009) (internal quotations omitted).

      N.J.S.A. 43:15A-50 governs public employee retirement systems and was

amended in 1995. L. 1995, c. 221. N.J.S.A. 43:15A-50 provides that upon

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retirement, a member of a public employee retirement system is entitled to select

certain payment options. The statute further provides in part that

            [e]xcept in the case of members who have elected to
            receive (1) a deferred retirement allowance pursuant to
            [N.J.S.A. 43:15A-38], or (2) early retirement
            allowances pursuant to [N.J.S.A. 43:15A-41(b)] after
            separation from service pursuant to [N.J.S.A. 43:15A-
            38], if a member dies within [thirty] days after the date
            of retirement or the date of board approval, whichever
            is later, the member's retirement allowance shall not
            become effective and the member shall be considered
            an active member at the time of death. However, if the
            member dies after the date the application for
            retirement was filed with the system, the retirement will
            become effective if:

                  ....

                   c. The deceased member had designated a
            beneficiary under an optional settlement provided by
            this section; and

                   d. The surviving beneficiary requests in writing
            that the board make such a selection. Upon formal
            action by the board approving that request, the request
            shall be irrevocable.

                  ....

      Here, appellant contends the purpose of N.J.S.A. 11A:6-19 "is to provide

a method for the heirs of deceased retirees to receive SCOR benefits." She

argues the purpose of the SCOR statute should be "harmonized" with the change

to the retirement law enacted in 1995 to permit SCOR payments to be made to

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                                      12
the estate of a State employee upon the effective date of retirement regardless

of when the employee dies. We are unpersuaded by appellant's argument.

      The SCOR program is administered by the Commission. N.J.S.A. 11A:6-

23. In its brief, the Commission notes that the legislative history of statutes

which provide for the payment of accumulated sick leave indicate that such

payments have many purposes. One purpose is to discourage public employees

who have accumulated numerous sick days from taking an extended leave just

before their retirements. See Sponsor's Statement to A. 1014 (L. 1973, c. 130).

      On the other hand, the statutes governing retirements are administered by

the boards of trustees of the respective retirement systems. N.J.S.A. 43:15A-

17. Prior to the enactment of L. 1995, c. 221, N.J.S.A. 43:15A-50 stated that if

an employee dies within thirty days after the date of retirement or the date of

board approval, whichever was later, the employee would not be deemed retired

at the time of death. New Jersey Educ. Ass'n v. Bd. of Trs., Pub. Emps.' Ret.

Sys., 327 N.J. Super. 405, 412 (App. Div. 2000) (citing Senate Budget and

Appropriations Comm. Statement to A. 1248 (May 15, 1995)). However, a

public employee's retirement may be deemed "effective" if the member dies after

the date the application for retirement was received by the system, and certain

conditions are satisfied. Ibid.

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                                      13
      In this case, the Commission found that posthumous approval of a public

employee's retirement pursuant to N.J.S.A. 43:15A-50 has nothing to do with

the SCOR program, and the approval of such a retirement does not authorize the

payment of SCOR. We agree. Indeed, the purpose of a posthumous retirement

under N.J.S.A. 43:15A-50 is different from the purpose of compensating a

public employee for accumulated and unused sick leave.

      Moreover, as the Commission noted in its decision, the 1995 legislation,

which amended N.J.S.A. 43:15A-50, did not address payments of SCOR. The

statutes governing SCOR were enacted earlier. L. 1986, c. 112. Therefore, we

reject appellant's contention that the statutes governing posthumous retirements

and SCOR should be "harmonized." They are separate statutory schemes, which

are administered by different agencies and have different purposes.

      Accordingly, we conclude that a posthumous retirement approved

pursuant to N.J.S.A. 43:15A-50 does not require payment of SCOR pursuant to

N.J.S.A. 11A:6-16.

                                     IV.

      Appellant further argues that the Commission's regulation governing

payment of SCOR is invalid because it provides that "an employee . . . whose

separation from employment is not based on retirement, is not eligible for

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                                      14
SCOR." Appellant contends the regulation is ultra vires because it includes a

requirement that is not included in the enabling statute. She also contends the

phrase is not defined in the SCOR regulations.

      Regulations adopted by an administrative agency are presumed to be

"valid and reasonable." Schundler, 211 N.J. at 548 (quoting N.J. Soc'y for the

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals v. N.J. Dept. of Agric., 196 N.J. 366, 385

(2008) (NJSPCA). The party challenging the regulation must show that the

agency's action was "arbitrary, capricious or unreasonable." Ibid. (quoting

Henry, 81 N.J. at 579-80).

      "An administrative regulation 'must be within the fair contemplation of

the delegation of the enabling statute.'" N.J. Guild of Hearing Aid Dispensers

v. Long, 75 N.J. 554, 561 (1978) (quoting S. Jersey Airways v. Na'l. Bk. of

Secaucus, 108 N.J. Super. 369, 383 (App. Div. 1970)). A regulation may be

invalidated if it is "inconsistent with the statute it purports to interpret."

NJSPCA, 196 N.J. at 38 (quoting Smith v. Dir., Div. of Tax'n, 108 N.J. 19, 26

(1987)).

      We are convinced that the Commission's regulation is within the "fair

contemplation" of the enabling act and it is consistent with the statutes

governing payment of SCOR. As noted, the statute provides that SCOR shall

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                                     15
only be paid "upon retirement." N.J.S.A. 11A:6-16. The regulation reasonably

interprets the statute to mean that SCOR should only be paid when the

employee's separation is due to retirement. We therefore find no merit to

appellant's challenge to the validity of the regulation.

      We have considered appellant's other contentions and conclude they lack

sufficient merit to warrant discussion. R. 2:11-3(e)(1)(E).

      Affirmed.

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