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Division of Pensions & Benefits

Online Guide to Retirement

Retirement is a big step in life. This guide will help you get information and make informed decisions about your retirement. Please select the topic below to get more information.

There are different types of retirement that you may qualify for depending on your age and the years and months of service credit you have in your retirement system account.

The age requirements and benefit calculations vary with your "Membership Tier," based on the date you were enrolled in the retirement system. (Members of the JRS are not subject to membership tiers.)

View Retirement Types, Eligibility, and Calculations in our Video Library.

Ordinary Disability and Accidental Disability Retirement are available to certain members who are totally and permanently disabled from performing their normal or any assigned job duties.

The eligibility requirements and benefits for disability retirements are very different from other types of retirement.

The PFRS, SPRS, and JRS allow for a continued pension benefit to a survivor.

PERS and TPAF members can choose from a number of different "Pension Options" that allow you to leave a life-time survivor benefit to a beneficiary after your death. JRS members also have these additional options.

View Exploring Pension Options in our Video Library.

Retirement estimates show how much your gross monthly retirement benefit will be. The estimate can also include the amount for a survivor benefit after your death, your group life insurance benefit after retirement, and other important information about your retirement benefits.

Members within two years of retiring can get a retirement estimate online using the Member Benefits Online System (MBOS). Estimates use the service and salary information currently posted to your account. (These options are not available to SPRS or JRS members.)

Members who are more than two years from retiring can use the long-range retirement estimate calculators:

SPRS

Call your Human Resources Office for retirement estimates.

JRS

Call 609-690-4859 for retirement estimates.

The PERS/TPAF long-range retirement estimate calculators are currently being updated – please check back and refer to our Calculating Your Own Retirement Allowance Fact Sheet.

View How to Run a Retirement Estimate for PERS and TPAF Members in our Video Library.

Retirement seminars and webinars take a step-by-step approach to the retirement process and what happens after you submit your application. Trained counselors explain your benefits, beneficiary options, group life insurance, loan repayments, pension income taxes, and health benefits coverage in retirement. Seminars usually conclude with a question and answer period.

PERS/TPAF

Register for retirement seminars and webinars.

PFRS

Register for retirement seminars and webinars.

SPRS

Seminars/webinars are not available for SPRS members.

JRS

Seminars/webinars are not available for JRS members.

Your pension benefit is based partly on the amount of service credit posted to your retirement system account, so purchasing additional service credit — if you are eligible — may increase your pension amount or let you retire sooner.

PERS, TPAF, PFRS, SPRS

Purchasing Service Credit

JRS

JRS Guidebook

Some retirees will qualify for health coverage under the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) or the School Employees’ Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) when they retire.

For retirees who meet service credit or other requirements, the State or employer pays some or all of the cost of the SHBP/SEHBP coverage.

Retirees who do not qualify for State-paid or employer-paid coverage may still be eligible for coverage, but have to pay the full cost.

Pension checks are subject to federal income tax (except for Accidental Disability Retirement). However, if you paid tax on any of your contributions to the retirement system, that portion of your monthly check is not taxable.

If you live in New Jersey, your retirement benefit is not subject to New Jersey State income tax until you get back through pension checks the same amount you paid into the pension system while working.

If you live outside of New Jersey, check with your home state's tax office to find out if your pension is taxable in the state you live.

View Possible Retirement Check Deductions in our Video Library.

PERS/TPAF, PFRS, SPRS, JRS

Taxation of Retirement Benefits Fact Sheet

Other than federal and State income tax, there are only a few other deductions that might apply to your monthly pension check. These include:

  • Health benefits premiums - Any full or shared cost for SHBP/SEHBP medical, prescription drug, or retiree dental coverage;
  • Pension loans - If you retire with a loan balance, you can repay the outstanding loan before you retire or repay the loan including interest through deductions from your retirement check; Payments will be about the same monthly amount deducted from your pay immediately before retirement;
  • Tax liens - Liens imposed by the federal Internal Revenue Service; and
  • Court orders - Qualified Domestic Relation Orders (QDRO) granting alimony for divorce/civil union dissolution, child support, or equitable distribution.

PERS/TPAF, PFRS, SPRS, JRS

Can I Afford to Retire? Worksheet to compare estimates of gross and net retirement income

Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDRO)

View Possible Retirement Check Deductions in our Video Library.

Working for private industry, the federal government, or a government agency in another state will not normally affect your retirement benefits.

However, returning to public employment in New Jersey after retirement may jeopardize your retirement benefits. Retirees should be very careful before accepting any public employment jobs in New Jersey after retirement.

PERS/TPAF, PFRS, SPRS, JRS

Employment After Retirement Restrictions

Apply Now - PERS/TPAF, PFRS, SPRS

Members must submit their retirement application online using MBOS

View Reviewing a Retirement Application in our Video Library.

JRS

JRS Retirement Application

Videos

More videos are available to view in our Video Library

Retirement Types, Eligibility & Calculations

Retired Benefitsolver Guide

Solving MBOS Login Issues Part 1


Last Updated: Thursday, 12/07/23