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Bill > S51


NJ S51

NJ S51
Permits PERS retiree to return to elective public office after retirement under certain circumstances.


summary

Introduced
01/09/2024
In Committee
12/01/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill provides that a former member of the Public Employees' Retirement System who has been granted a retirement allowance prior to, or on or after, the effective date of this bill, for any cause other than disability, may return to an elective public office position with the former employer, either by appointment to fill a vacancy or by election, without cancellation of the retirement and reenrollment in the system if: (1) the return commences after the retirement allowance becomes due and payable; (2) the former member had attained the service retirement age, applicable to that member, as of the date of retirement; and (3) the compensation for the elective public office held is less than $12,000 per year. This bill will be effective if the qualified status of the retirement system under federal law can be maintained upon its application, and such modifications to the system as may be available will be made to allow for its application. As used in this bill, "former employer" means the public entity from which the former member retired from service performed immediately prior to retirement.

AI Summary

This bill allows former members of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), who are receiving retirement benefits for reasons other than disability, to return to an elective public office with their former employer without losing their retirement status or having to re-enroll in the system, provided certain conditions are met. These conditions include that the return to public service must begin after their retirement allowance is already being paid, they must have reached their service retirement age at the time of their initial retirement, and the annual compensation for the new elective office must be less than $12,000. The bill also stipulates that it will only take effect if the PERS can maintain its qualified status under federal law and if necessary modifications are made to the system. A "former employer" is defined as the public entity from which the individual retired.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee (on 12/01/2025)

bill text


bill summary

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S51
BillText https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S0500/51_I1.HTM
Fiscal Note - Fiscal Estimate 1/6/2026; as introduced https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S0500/51_E1.PDF
Analysis - Statement SSG 12/1/25 https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S0500/51_S1.PDF
Analysis - Technical Review Of Prefiled Bill https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S0500/51_T1.PDF
BillText https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S0500/51_I1.HTM
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