SPECIAL RETIREMENT

Any age with 25 or more years of service credit.

65% X Final Compensation plus 1% per year over 25 years = Annual Maximum Pension

Maximum benefit = 70% of Final Compensation

Complete a PFRS Application for Retirement Allowance 3-4 months in advance.

Instructions on completing the application.

Supply proof of age document for member

Supply proof of age document for spouse, civil union partner, or eligible same-sex domestic partner*

Supply photocopy of: Marriage Certificate; OR Civil Union Certificate from NJ or a valid certification from another jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex civil unions; OR New Jersey Certificate of Domestic Partnership dated prior to February 19, 2007 or a valid certification from another jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex domestic partners.*

*Required for Survivor's Pension to be paid upon retiree's death

Complete Certification of Service and Final Salary as soon as possible upon learning of member's retirement.
Instructions on completing the Certification.

Note: "Final Compensation" = The last 12 months of creditable salary.

 Note: "Final Compensation" = The last 12 months of creditable salary.

Ten (10) or more years of service credit.

First of month after member turns 55.

Years of Service X 2% X Final Compensation = Annual Maximum Pension

Complete a PFRS Application for Retirement Allowance 3 - 4 months in advance
Instructions on completing the application.

Supply proof of age document for member

Supply proof of age document for spouse, civil union partner, or eligible same-sex domestic partner*

Supply photocopy of: Marriage Certificate; OR Civil Union Certificate from NJ or a valid certification from another jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex civil unions; OR New Jersey Certificate of Domestic Partnership dated prior to February 19, 2007 or a valid certification from another jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex domestic partners.*

* Required for Survivor's Pension to be paid upon retiree's death

Complete Certification of Service and Final Salary as soon as possible upon learning of member's retirement.
Instructions on completing the Certification.

1. Member must be determined to be Totally and Permanently disabled
   
   
2. as a Direct Result of
   
   
3. a Traumatic Event while doing his or her normal job duties.

1. Must be processed through Disability Review Procedure.
   
   
2. Application must normally be made within 5 years of accident date, and;
   
   
3. Member must still be on payroll or on an approved leave of absence with the employer. The member must be considered "in service" with the employer (please see information below regarding what is regarded as "in service").

Please Note: A "member in service" means that the member or the employer was making pension contributions to the retirement system at the time of filing the application for a disability retirement allowance. It may also mean that the member was on an approved leave of absence, paid or unpaid, or suspension, paid or unpaid, at the time of filing the application for a disability retirement allowance, and it has not been more than the time frames permitted by N.J.S.A. 43:16A-9(5)a for active membership since the member's last contribution to the retirement system. If the member had pending litigation for wrongful termination filed against the employer, the member has 30 days from the date the litigation is resolved to file for disability retirement in order to be considered a "member in service".

1. Complete a PFRS Application for Disability Retirement Allowance.
   Instructions on completing the Disability Retirement Application.
   
   
2. Supply proof of age document for member.
   
   
3. Supply proof of age document for spouse, civil union partner, or eligible same-sex domestic partner. *
   
   
4. Supply photocopy of: Marriage Certificate; OR Civil Union Certificate from NJ or a valid certification from another jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex civil unions; OR New Jersey Certificate of Domestic Partnership dated prior to February 19, 2007 or a valid certification from another jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex domestic partners.*
   
   
5. Have medical providers complete Medical Examination by Personal or Treating Physician forms (as many as necessary but 2 at least are recommended).
   
   
6. Secure medical records through Authorization for Release of Medical Records.

* Required for Survivor's Pension to be paid upon retiree's death.

Please note: Once the PFRS Board of Trustees grants approval for a disability retirement, the member may not cancel the retirement.

1. Complete Employer Certification for Disability Retirement as soon as possible upon learning of member's retirement, including accident reports, medical notes, witness reports, etc.
   
   Instructions on completing the Disability Retirement Certification.
   
   
2. Submit accident reports that apply.
   
   
3. Submit incident and witness reports that apply.

2/3 X Salary at Time of Accident = Annual Maximum,
or
2/3 X Final Salary = Annual Maximum, whichever is greater.

1. Four or more years of New Jersey service credit (out-of-state, U.S. Government and Military purchases cannot be used to attain the four years)*, and
   
   
2. Subject to Involuntary Ordinary Disability Retirement

* The Involuntary Disability Retirement Allowance calculation for members with four or more years of service credit but less than twenty years of service credit is different from that used for members with twenty or more years of service credit. Please see Benefit below.

Supply proof of age document for member.

Supply proof of age document for spouse, civil union partner, or eligible same-sex domestic partner. *

Supply photocopy of: Marriage Certificate; OR Civil Union Certificate from NJ or a valid certification from another jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex civil unions; OR New Jersey Certificate of Domestic Partnership dated prior to February 19, 2007 or a valid certification from another jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex domestic partners.*

Have medical providers complete Medical Examination by Personal or Treating Physician forms (as many as necessary)

Secure medical records through Authorization for Release of Medical Records

*Required for Survivor's Pension to be paid upon retiree's death.

Please note: Once the PFRS Board of Trustees grants approval for a disability retirement, the member may only cancel the retirement by submitting a letter requesting to do so to the Board of Trustees, with a written statement from his/her physician expressing that the member can return to work. The Disability Review Section would then send the member for an IME, and all medical information would be again submitted to the Medical Review Board. Once all of the above information is received, the Board of Trustees would make a determination of whether member is able to return to work or not.

Also, when an employer submits a PFRS Application for Disability Retirement Allowance for a member's Involuntary Disability Retirement, the member may not change the date of retirement indicated by the employer.

1. Complete a PFRS Application for Disability Retirement Allowance on behalf of the member.
   
   Do not sign or designate beneficiaries for the member—the member will have opportunity to do that later. In place of the member's signature, write, "Involuntary Disability Retirement" and have the Certifying Officer sign.
   
   Instructions on completing the Disability Retirement Application.
   
   
2. Complete Employer Certification for Disability Retirement as soon as possible upon learning of member's retirement. Write "Involuntary" on the top of the application.
   
   Instructions on completing the Disability Retirement Certification.
   
   
3. Enclose a letter addressed to the Division of Pensions and Benefits stating that, in the employing authority's opinion, the member is "totally and permanently disabled" from fulfilling his or her job duties. The employer must submit attendance records, along with any pertinent medical records.
   Sample Letter

For members having four or more but less than twenty years of service credit, the calculation is the same as the regular Ordinary Disability Retirement calculation:*

40% X Final Compensation = Annual Maximum Pension (if approved).

For members with twenty or more years of service credit, the special "Involuntary Disability Retirement" calculation is:*

50% X Final Compensation = Annual Maximum Pension, plus
3% for each year over 20 - up to a maximum of 65%
(if approved).

*Out-of-state, U.S. government, and military service purchases may not be used to qualify for an Involuntary Disability retirement or to qualify for the higher benefit for members with 20 or more years of service.