State Public Pensions in New Jersey
The New Jersey Division of Pensions & Benefits administers the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) and the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF), among other state-administered systems. Survivor and death benefits depend on whether the member was active or retired and the retirement option the member elected.
Administering agency
New Jersey Division of Pensions & Benefits (NJDPB)
State Public Pensions in New Jersey: key facts
- Systems
- Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF), and other state-administered retirement systems.
- Active member death
- Most members are covered by group life insurance. The beneficiary receives that life insurance plus, in PERS and TPAF, a return of the contributions the member made to the retirement system. In PFRS, SPRS, and JRS — and for a spouse or partner of an active member of the Workers' Compensation Judges Part of PERS — a survivor's pension is instead payable to a surviving spouse, civil union partner, or same-sex domestic partner. The employer must first file a Certification of Service and Final Salary — Death Claim (Form P-29), which reports recent salary and employment status.
- Retired member death
- The continuing benefit depends on which of the nine payment options was elected at retirement. The Maximum Option pays survivors no pension allowance, though if the retiree died before receiving monthly benefits equal to the contributions they paid in (with interest), the balance of those contributions goes to the named beneficiary. Option 1 pays a beneficiary any balance left in the retirement reserve. Options A, B, C, and D pay the named beneficiary 100, 75, 50, or 25 percent of the retiree's monthly allowance for life, and the retiree's own allowance would have increased to the Maximum had the beneficiary died first; Options 2, 3, and 4 pay 100 percent, 50 percent, or an amount the retiree chose, with the retiree's reduction permanent. Group life insurance is in effect for a retiree only if the member had coverage while an active member and retired with at least 10 years of pension membership credit or on a Disability Retirement.
- Reporting a death
- Notify NJDPB at 609-292-7524 with the deceased's full name, Social Security or pension membership or retirement number, date of death, and the name, mailing address, and telephone number of the person handling the estate. Payment then depends on NJDPB receiving a certified death certificate, all completed claim forms, and any uncashed pension checks sent to a deceased retiree — those are reissued to the beneficiaries or the estate.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Identify whether the deceased was a member of PERS, TPAF, or another state-administered system.
- Notify NJDPB of the death and provide the member's name, retirement number, date of death, and the estate contact.
- NJDPB reviews the member's account and sends the named beneficiary a letter and the necessary claim forms.
- Return a certified death certificate, completed claim forms, and any uncashed pension checks so the benefit can be paid to the beneficiary or estate.
Frequently asked questions
Contact the New Jersey Division of Pensions & Benefits at 609-292-7524. NJDPB administers PERS and TPAF and reviews the member's account to determine what survivor or death benefit is payable.
It depends on which of the nine payment options the retiree elected at retirement. Under the Maximum Option, benefits end at the retiree's death and survivors receive no pension allowance — though if the retiree died before drawing benefits equal to the contributions they paid in with interest, the balance of those contributions goes to the named beneficiary. Option 1 pays a beneficiary whatever is left of the retirement reserve, and Options A through D and Options 2 through 4 pay the named beneficiary a lifetime monthly pension. Group life insurance applies only if the retiree had coverage as an active member and retired with at least 10 years of pension membership credit or on a Disability Retirement.
Yes. Most members are covered by group life insurance. When an active PERS or TPAF member dies, the beneficiary receives that life insurance plus a return of the contributions the member made to the retirement system. In PFRS, SPRS, and JRS, a survivor's pension is payable instead to a surviving spouse, civil union partner, or same-sex domestic partner. The employer must file a Certification of Service and Final Salary — Death Claim (Form P-29) before any benefit is calculated.
Sources
Data sourced from State Public Pensions in New Jersey primary sources (3 pages reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
New Jersey Division of Pensions & Benefits (NJDPB)