EMPLOYER PENSIONS AND BENEFITS
INFORMATION CONNECTION (EPIC)

EPIC E-Mail Messages — 2017

E-MAIL MESSAGE – July 19, 2017

TO: Certifying Officers, Human Resource Representatives, and Benefit Administrators

FROM: The New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits (NJDPB)

SUBJECT: Retirement Seminars and Webinars for Employees                        

Do you have employees who are looking for information about retirement? 

The NJDPB has upcoming in-person Retirement Seminars and live online webinars scheduled for members of the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) and Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF). Seats are still available for summer sessions!

In-person Seminars are available at locations across the state, Live Webinars cover all of the information in our seminars but can be attended without travel from your own computer. 

Designed for employees who are planning for retirement, retirement seminars and webinars provide a step-by-step look at the retirement process. We explain retirement benefits, beneficiary options, group life insurance, and how to submit the retirement application online using MBOS. Retirement eligibility, purchase, loan repayment provisions, and the taxability of pension are explained along with a brief discussion of State Health Benefits Program and School Employees’ Health Benefits Program coverage in retirement. Seminars and Webinars conclude with a question and answer period.

ADDITIONAL TRAINING DATES

Please check our Web site regularly for newly added seminar/webinar dates and/or locations.  For a complete list of employee pension training opportunities, visit the NJDPB Seminar Registration page at:  http://www.nj.gov/treasury/pensions/workshop-intro.shtml

DISTRIBUTION OF THIS MESSAGE

Certifying Officers should make this information available to their employees, and forward this message to their Human Resources staff, benefit administrators, and any other staff members responsible for the administration of pension and benefits for employees.

Please note: It is important that the Certifying Officer’s e-mail address is kept current with the Employer Pensions and Benefits Information Connection (EPIC) to assure the accurate and timely delivery of this information. Update your information using the Employer Demographics application in EPIC.

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E-MAIL MESSAGE – June 26, 2017

TO: All Cycle2 Certifying Officers

FROM: The New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits

SUBJECT: 2nd Quarter 2017 IROC (Cycle 2 Locations)                         

IROC NOTICE

This notice is to advise that your 2nd Quarter 2017  Internet-based Report of Contributions (IROC) is ready for processing.

The IROC is accessed through the Employers Pension Information Connection (EPIC), the secure and fast method for pension information and processing.  The Certifying Officer at your employing location has the ability to grant IROC access to other staff persons by using the “Security” function in EPIC.

If you have questions about how to use EPIC, please contact the Division’s Employer Education Unit for EPIC help at (609) 292-7524.  You can also get help from the Division’s Web site at: http://www.nj.gov/treasury/pensions/epickit.htm  or by clicking the “EPIC User’s Guide” button on your EPIC home page.

1. The Certifying Officer and Supervising Certifying Officer are the only persons to receive correspondence about IROC;
2. Because the Certifying Officer is authorized to grant IROC access to the staff person who does the report, you should ensure this staff person has EPIC access and is familiar with its use;
3. For questions concerning how to complete the Report of Contributions correctly, please feel free to contact the IROC Helpline at (609) 777-2115, or access the IROC Manual at http://www.nj.gov/treasury/pensions/epickit.htm  or by clicking “EPIC User’s Guide” on your EPIC home page.  Also attached is Fact Sheet #77, The Quarterly Report of Contributions, which contains general information on completing and submitting the IROC.
4. A “Print” button is available on the IROC main page.  You may create a print copy of your Report at any time before, during, or even after you have completed the ROC.  Just click “Print” at the top of the main page and you will get your print copy.  This feature also is useful for printing copies of Reports of Contributions completed for earlier quarters.

Employers who use the IROC have reported that this method is easier and much more efficient; for many it reduces the completion time by half or more.  If you are new to using the IROC, it will only take a few minutes to learn the new method and we believe you will find it very much worth your while.

At the Division, we truly appreciate the dedication and hard work you bring to your job administering your employees’ pension and benefits.  We also want to thank you in advance for your cooperation in making the change to this online reporting system.  We hope you will find that using the IROC will greatly improve your quarterly reporting experience.

DISTRIBUTION OF THIS MESSAGE 

Certifying Officers should make this information available to their employees, and forward this message to their Human Resources staff, benefit administrators, and any other staff members responsible for the administration of pension and benefits for employees.

Please note: It is important that the Certifying Officer’s e-mail address is kept current with the Employer Pensions and Benefits Information Connection (EPIC) to assure the accurate and timely delivery of this information.

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E-MAIL MESSAGE — June 20, 2017

TO: Certifying Officers, Human Resource Representatives, and Benefit Administrators

FROM: New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits, Benefits Education

SUBJECT: EMPLOYER TRAINING WEBINARS — NEW TOPICS FOR SUMMER 2017

The Division of Pensions and Benefits is pleased to announce the addition of three NEW Employer Training Topics. These are in addition to our regular employer training topics.

Register online at: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/training-intro.shtml 

The new topics include:

EPIC Security Features:
This employer training session covers the four Security applications within the Employer Pensions and Benefits Information Connection (EPIC).  They are the Address Change, Add New User, Apps to Multi Users, and Search/Modify User applications.  We will review each Security application, including what the applications do and how to navigate them.  Please note that only Certifying Officers (CO) and Supervising Certifying Officers (SCO) have access to the Security features — although the webinar is open to anyone. The webinar is approximately 15- 20 minutes in duration and includes a Q&A period.

The Employer’s Role When a Member Retires:
This employer training session covers the employer’s role when a member has filed for retirement. Topics include how to complete a Certification of Service and Final Salary for a Service, Early, or Veteran’s retirement, an Ordinary Disability retirement, or Accidental Disability retirement.  We review each certification question line-by-line and discuss additional documentation that may be needed by the Division once the certification is submitted. The webinar is approximately 30 minutes in duration and includes a Q&A period.

When a Member Retires: Going the Extra Mile:
This employer session covers retirement basics for PERS, TPAF, and PFRS members. Topics include retirement types, pension options, and retired group life insurance. We will review a sample retirement application and you will learn how to run a retirement estimate for a member and check the status of a pending application. Corresponding fact sheets and other resources will be covered as well. The webinar is approximately 45-50 minutes in duration and includes a Q&A session. The material covered in this presentation is NOT a requirement for any employer. It is presented for employers who choose to assist their employees with retirement planning.

TRAINING DATES

For a complete list of employer training webinars and available dates, visit the Division of Pensions and Benefits’ Registration page at: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/training-intro.shtml or visit our website at: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/  and click on “Employer Training Sessions.” 

DISTRIBUTION OF THIS MESSAGE

Certifying Officers should forward this message to their Human Resources staff, benefit administrators, and any other staff members responsible for the administration of pension and benefits for employees.

Current and archived messages are available for viewing on the Division’s website at: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions  At the home page, go to “Online Services — EPIC for Employers” and then select “Archive of E-Messages” on the EPIC page.

PLEASE NOTE: It is important that the Certifying Officer’s e-mail address is kept current with the Employer Pensions and Benefits Information Connection (EPIC) to assure the accurate and timely delivery of this information. Update your information using the Employer Demographics application in EPIC.

If you have questions or concerns about the content of this message, contact the Division of Pensions and Benefits at: pensions.nj@treas.nj.gov  or go to: https://www.state.nj.us/treas/pensions/pensionmail.shtml

Please note: It is important that the Certifying Officer’s e-mail address is kept current with the Employer Pensions and Benefits Information Connection (EPIC) to assure the accurate and timely delivery of this information.

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E-MAIL MESSAGE – June 13, 2017

TO: All Cycle 1 Certifying Officers

FROM: The New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits

SUBJECT: 2nd Quarter 2017 IROC (Cycle 1 Locations)                         

IROC NOTICE

This notice is to advise that your 2nd Quarter 2017  Internet-based Report of Contributions (IROC) is ready for processing.

The IROC is accessed through the Employers Pension Information Connection (EPIC), the secure and fast method for pension information and processing.  The Certifying Officer at your employing location has the ability to grant IROC access to other staff persons by using the “Security” function in EPIC.

If you have questions about how to use EPIC, please contact the Division’s Employer Education Unit for EPIC help at (609) 292-7524.  You can also get help from the Division’s Web site at: http://www.nj.gov/treasury/pensions/epickit.htm  or by clicking the “EPIC User’s Guide” button on your EPIC home page.

1. The Certifying Officer and Supervising Certifying Officer are the only persons to receive correspondence about IROC;
2. Because the Certifying Officer is authorized to grant IROC access to the staff person who does the report, you should ensure this staff person has EPIC access and is familiar with its use;
3. For questions concerning how to complete the Report of Contributions correctly, please feel free to contact the IROC Helpline at (609) 777-2115, or access the IROC Manual at http://www.nj.gov/treasury/pensions/epickit.htm  or by clicking “EPIC User’s Guide” on your EPIC home page.  Also attached is Fact Sheet #77, The Quarterly Report of Contributions, which contains general information on completing and submitting the IROC.
4. A “Print” button is available on the IROC main page.  You may create a print copy of your Report at any time before, during, or even after you have completed the ROC.  Just click “Print” at the top of the main page and you will get your print copy.  This feature also is useful for printing copies of Reports of Contributions completed for earlier quarters.

Employers who use the IROC have reported that this method is easier and much more efficient; for many it reduces the completion time by half or more.  If you are new to using the IROC, it will only take a few minutes to learn the new method and we believe you will find it very much worth your while.

At the Division, we truly appreciate the dedication and hard work you bring to your job administering your employees’ pension and benefits.  We also want to thank you in advance for your cooperation in making the change to this online reporting system.  We hope you will find that using the IROC will greatly improve your quarterly reporting experience.

DISTRIBUTION OF THIS MESSAGE 

Certifying Officers should make this information available to their employees, and forward this message to their Human Resources staff, benefit administrators, and any other staff members responsible for the administration of pension and benefits for employees.

Please note: It is important that the Certifying Officer’s e-mail address is kept current with the Employer Pensions and Benefits Information Connection (EPIC) to assure the accurate and timely delivery of this information.

CERTIFYING OFFICER LETTER – June 12, 2017

TO: Certifying Officers of the Police and Firemen's Retirement System

FROM: The New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits

SUBJECT: Pension and Health Benefit Contribution Rate Changes for the Judicial Retirement System (JRS) 

Pursuant to Article VI, Section VI, Paragraph 6 of the New Jersey Constitution — as authorized under Chapter 78, P.L. 2011, Pension and Health Benefit Reform — employee pension contribution rates for members of the JRS will increase to the full contribution rate as of State Biweekly Pay Period #14 of 2017 (the July 14, 2017, paycheck). Please notify your employees who are JRS members of the upcoming contribution rate changes.

DISTRIBUTION OF THIS MESSAGE

Certifying Officers should forward this message to their human resources staff, benefit administrators, and any other staff members responsible for the administration of benefits for employees.

If you need to review previous e-messages, they are available on the Division’s Web site at: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions  At the home page, go to “Online Services — Employer Pensions and Benefits Information Connection (EPIC)” and then on the EPIC page select “Archive of E-Messages.”

Please note: It is important that the Certifying Officer’s e-mail address is kept current with the Employer Pensions and Benefits Information Connection (EPIC) to assure the accurate and timely delivery of this information. Update your information using the Employer Demographics application in EPIC.

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CERTIFYING OFFICER LETTER – June 12, 2017

TO: Certifying Officers of the Public Employees' Retirement System and the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund

FROM: The New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits

SUBJECT: Pension Contribution Rate Changes for the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) and the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF)                        

Pursuant to Chapter 78, P.L. 2011, Pension and Health Benefit Reform, PERS and TPAF employee pension contribution rates will increase from 7.2% to 7.34% of salary with the first paycheck on or after July 1, 2017.  Please notify your employees of the upcoming contribution rate changes.

DISTRIBUTION OF THIS MESSAGE

Certifying Officers should forward this message to their human resources staff, benefit administrators, and any other staff members responsible for the administration of benefits for employees.

Please note: It is important that the Certifying Officer’s e-mail address is kept current with the Employer Pensions and Benefits Information Connection (EPIC) to assure the accurate and timely delivery of this information. Update your information using the Employer Demographics application in EPIC.

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CERTIFYING OFFICER LETTER – June 5, 2017

TO: Certifying Officers of the Police and Firemen's Retirement System

FROM: MARY ELLEN RATHBUN, BOARD SECRETARY, POLICE AND FIREMEN’S RETIREMENT SYSTEM

SUBJECT: PFRS NOTICE OF ELECTION                         

This certifying officer letter and the attached notice for the 2017 Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS) “Police” election is being transmitted to you electronically and will require your electronic response.

The PFRS Board of Trustees requests that the attached Notice of Election be prominently posted in your workplace as official notice to your employees.
SEE THE CERTIFYING OFFICER LETTER FOR SPECIFIC RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS - DO NOT REPLY TO THIS COVER MESSAGE.

DISTRIBUTION OF THIS LETTER

Certifying Officers should forward this message to their human resources staff, benefit administrators, and any other staff members responsible for the administration of pension benefits for employees.

If you need to review previous e-messages, they are available on the Division’s Web site at: http://www.nj.gov/treasury/pensions  At the home page, go to “Online Services — Employer Pensions and Benefits Information Connection (EPIC)” and then on the EPIC page select “Archive of E-Messages.”

Please note: It is important that the Certifying Officer’s e-mail address is kept current with the Employer Pensions and Benefits Information Connection (EPIC) to assure the accurate and timely delivery of this information. Update your information using the Employer Demographics application in EPIC.

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E-MAIL MESSAGE – May 18, 2017

TO: Certifying Officers

FROM: The New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits

SUBJECT: Online Transmittal Electronic Payment System (TEPS) Upgrade

The Transmittal Electronic Payment System (TEPS) is the online application for the transmittal of pension contributions and the remittance of health benefit premiums.  The TEPS vendor, First Data, has added additional security features to safeguard users and protect against malicious threats.

New Logon Process

On May 26, 2017, when accessing the logon page for the NJ Pensions TEPS program and the New Jersey Health Benefits TEPS program, users will be required to create a unique username and strong password for TEPS access.  Select the “New User” link at the bottom of the logon page and follow the prompts to update your TEPS access.

Please note that this is a one-time setup only and be sure to have your location number(s), a valid e-mail address, and your TEPS pin handy. Going forward, you will access TEPS using your personal username and password.

Some users may also be required to update their bookmark for the new URL’s listed below:

• NJ Pensions TEPS at https://govone.com/tpp/NewJerseyPensions

• New Jersey Health Benefits TEPS at: https://www.govone.com/tpp/NewJerseyHealth

For questions or technical support with TEPS or the user update, please contact First Data at 1-800-332-4125.

TEPS by Phone

There is no immediate update pending for users who submit TEPS transactions over the telephone.  TEPS telephone users should continue to access TEPS using their location number(s) and TEPS pin until instructed to do otherwise.

DISTRIBUTION OF THIS LETTER

Certifying Officers should forward this message to their human resources staff, benefits administrators, and any other staff members responsible for TEPS payments or for the administration of pension and/or health benefits for your employees.

Please note: It is important that the Certifying Officer’s e-mail address is kept current with the Employer Pensions and Benefits Information Connection (EPIC) to assure the accurate and timely delivery of this information. Update your information using the Employer Demographics application in EPIC.

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E-MAIL MESSAGE – April 4, 2017

TO: Certifying Officers, Human Resource Representatives, and Benefit Administrators

FROM: The New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits

SUBJECT: DCRP Account Overview Seminars for Employees

Do your employees need help understanding their Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) benefit information?

Our new DCRP Account Overview for Employees Seminars and Webinars provide information about DCRP eligibility, contributions rates, the investment funds available within the DCRP, the Goalmaker investment allocation tool, withdrawals, and the overall rules of the program. We also take a look at Prudential’s DCRP Web site and how to process all changes such as adding a beneficiary and processing a withdrawal online.

Classroom Seminars are available at locations across the state. Live Webinars cover all of the information in our seminars but can be viewed from your own computer without the need to travel. Sessions are approximately 45 minutes in duration and conclude with a Q&A period.

The attached file provides details on Seminar dates, times, and locations. The file is in PDF format and requires Acrobat Reader which is available free from Adobe via a link at: http://www.state.nj.us/acrobat.htm

Upon an employer’s request, a DCRP Overview for Employees session can be provided for your location. If you would like to schedule an on-site Seminar or Webinar for your employees, please complete the attached DCRP Employee Seminar/Webinar request form. 

ADDITIONAL TRAINING DATES

Please regularly check our Web site for newly added seminar/webinar dates and/or locations. For a complete list of employee pension training opportunities, visit the Division of Pensions and Benefits’ DCRP Seminar Registration page at: http://www.nj.gov/treasury/pensions/dcrp-seminars.shtml

DISTRIBUTION OF THIS MESSAGE

Certifying Officers should make this information available to their employees, and forward this message to their Human Resources staff, benefit administrators, and any other staff members responsible for the administration of pension and benefits for employees.

Please note: It is important that the Certifying Officer’s e-mail address is kept current with the Employer Pensions and Benefits Information Connection (EPIC) to assure the accurate and timely delivery of this information. Update your information using the Employer Demographics application in EPIC.

Attachment: Request for DCRP Employee Seminars

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E-MAIL MESSAGE – March 28, 2017

TO: All Cycle 2 Certifying Officers

FROM: The New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits

SUBJECT: 1st Quarter 2017 IROC (Cycle 2 Locations)

IROC NOTICE

This notice is to advise that your 1st Quarter 2017 Internet-based Report of Contributions (IROC) is ready for processing.

The IROC is accessed through the Employers Pension Information Connection (EPIC), the secure and fast method for pension information and processing. The Certifying Officer at your employing location has the ability to grant IROC access to other staff persons by using the “Security” function in EPIC.

If you have questions about how to use EPIC, please contact the Division’s Employer Education Unit for EPIC help at (609) 292-7524. You can also get help from the Division’s Web site at: http://www.nj.gov/treasury/pensions/epickit.htm  or by clicking the “EPIC User’s Guide” button on your EPIC home page.

1. The Certifying Officer and Supervising Certifying Officer are the only persons to receive correspondence about IROC;
   
   
2. Because the Certifying Officer is authorized to grant IROC access to the staff person who does the report, you should ensure this staff person has EPIC access and is familiar with its use;
   
   
3. For questions concerning how to complete the Report of Contributions correctly, please feel free to contact the IROC Helpline at (609) 777-2115, or access the IROC Manual at: http://www.nj.gov/treasury/pensions/epickit.htm or by clicking “EPIC User’s Guide” on your EPIC home page.
   
   Also attached is Fact Sheet #77, The Quarterly Report of Contributions, which contains general information on completing and submitting the IROC.
   
   
4. A “Print” button is available on the IROC main page. You may create a print copy of your Report at any time before, during, or even after you have completed the ROC. Just click “Print” at the top of the main page and you will get your print copy. This feature also is useful for printing copies of Reports of Contributions completed for earlier quarters.

Employers who use the IROC have reported that this method is easier and much more efficient; for many it reduces the completion time by half or more.  If you are new to using the IROC, it will only take a few minutes to learn the new method and we believe you will find it very much worth your while. 

At the Division, we truly appreciate the dedication and hard work you bring to your job administering your employees’ pension and benefits.  We also want to thank you in advance for your cooperation in making the change to this online reporting system. We hope you will find that using the IROC will greatly improve your quarterly reporting experience.

DISTRIBUTION OF THIS MESSAGE

Certifying Officers should make this information available to their employees, and forward this message to their Human Resources staff, benefit administrators, and any other staff members responsible for the administration of pension and benefits for employees.

Please note: It is important that the Certifying Officer’s e-mail address is kept current with the Employer Pensions and Benefits Information Connection (EPIC) to assure the accurate and timely delivery of this information. Update your information using the Employer Demographics application in EPIC.

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E-MAIL MESSAGE – March 28, 2017

TO: All Cycle 1 Certifying Officers

FROM: The New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits

SUBJECT: 1st Quarter 2017 IROC (Cycle 1 Locations)

IROC NOTICE

This notice is to advise that your 1st Quarter 2017 Internet-based Report of Contributions (IROC) is ready for processing.

The IROC is accessed through the Employers Pension Information Connection (EPIC), the secure and fast method for pension information and processing.  The Certifying Officer at your employing location has the ability to grant IROC access to other staff persons by using the “Security” function in EPIC.

If you have questions about how to use EPIC, please contact the Division’s Employer Education Unit for EPIC help at (609) 292-7524.  You can also get help from the Division’s Web site at: http://www.nj.gov/treasury/pensions/epickit.htm  or by clicking the “EPIC User’s Guide” button on your EPIC home page.

1. The Certifying Officer and Supervising Certifying Officer are the only persons to receive correspondence about IROC;
   
   
2. Because the Certifying Officer is authorized to grant IROC access to the staff person who does the report, you should ensure this staff person has EPIC access and is familiar with its use;
   
   
3. For questions concerning how to complete the Report of Contributions correctly, please feel free to contact the IROC Helpline at (609) 777-2115, or access the IROC Manual at http://www.nj.gov/treasury/pensions/epickit.htm  or by clicking “EPIC User’s Guide” on your EPIC home page.  Also attached is Fact Sheet #77, The Quarterly Report of Contributions, which contains general information on completing and submitting the IROC.
   
   
4. A “Print” button is available on the IROC main page.  You may create a print copy of your Report at any time before, during, or even after you have completed the ROC.  Just click “Print” at the top of the main page and you will get your print copy.  This feature also is useful for printing copies of Reports of Contributions completed for earlier quarters.

Employers who use the IROC have reported that this method is easier and much more efficient; for many it reduces the completion time by half or more.  If you are new to using the IROC, it will only take a few minutes to learn the new method and we believe you will find it very much worth your while.

At the Division, we truly appreciate the dedication and hard work you bring to your job administering your employees’ pension and benefits.  We also want to thank you in advance for your cooperation in making the change to this online reporting system.  We hope you will find that using the IROC will greatly improve your quarterly reporting experience.

DISTRIBUTION OF THIS MESSAGE

Certifying Officers should make this information available to their employees, and forward this message to their Human Resources staff, benefit administrators, and any other staff members responsible for the administration of pension and benefits for employees.

Please note: It is important that the Certifying Officer’s e-mail address is kept current with the Employer Pensions and Benefits Information Connection (EPIC) to assure the accurate and timely delivery of this information. Update your information using the Employer Demographics application in EPIC.

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CERTIFYING OFFICER LETTER – March 6, 2017

TO: Certifying Officers of the Public Employees' Retirement System

FROM: Public Employees' Retirement System Board of Trustees

SUBJECT: County Representative Elected to the Public Employees’ Retirement System Board of Trustees

The attached Certifying Officer Letter has been issued by the PERS Board of Trustees to announce the election of Tracy Smith to a three year term, effective July 1, 2017, as the County Representative to the PERS Board of Trustees.

The PERS Board of Trustees requests that the attached letter be prominently posted in your workplace as official notice to PERS county employees of the election results.

Additional information about the 2017 PERS Board of Trustee Elections is available on the Division’s Web site at:http://www.nj.gov/treasury/pensions/pers-board-election.shtml

DISTRIBUTION OF THIS LETTER

Certifying Officers should forward this message to their human resources staff, benefit administrators, and any other staff members responsible for the administration of pension benefits for employees.

If you need to review previous e-messages, they are available on the Division’s Web site at: http://www.nj.gov/treasury/pensions  At the home page, go to “Online Services — Employer Pensions and Benefits Information Connection (EPIC)” and then on the EPIC page select “Archive of E-Messages.”

Please note: It is important that the Certifying Officer’s e-mail address is kept current with the Employer Pensions and Benefits Information Connection (EPIC) to assure the accurate and timely delivery of this information. Update your information using the Employer Demographics application in EPIC.

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CERTIFYING OFFICER LETTER – March 6, 2017

TO: Certifying Officers of the Public Employees' Retirement System

FROM: Public Employees' Retirement System Board of Trustees

SUBJECT: Municipal Representative Elected to the Public Employees’ Retirement System Board of Trustees

The attached Certifying Officer Letter has been issued by the PERS Board of Trustees to announce the election of Brian Currie to a three year term, effective July 1, 2017, as the Municipal Representative to the PERS Board of Trustees.

The PERS Board of Trustees requests that the attached letter be prominently posted in your workplace as official notice to PERS municipal employees of the election results.

Additional information about the 2017 PERS Board of Trustee Elections is available on the Division’s Web site at:http://www.nj.gov/treasury/pensions/pers-board-election.shtml

DISTRIBUTION OF THIS LETTER

Certifying Officers should forward this message to their human resources staff, benefit administrators, and any other staff members responsible for the administration of pension benefits for employees.

If you need to review previous e-messages, they are available on the Division’s Web site at: http://www.nj.gov/treasury/pensions  At the home page, go to “Online Services — Employer Pensions and Benefits Information Connection (EPIC)” and then on the EPIC page select “Archive of E-Messages.”

Please note: It is important that the Certifying Officer’s e-mail address is kept current with the Employer Pensions and Benefits Information Connection (EPIC) to assure the accurate and timely delivery of this information. Update your information using the Employer Demographics application in EPIC.

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CERTIFYING OFFICER LETTER – March 6, 2017

TO: Certifying Officers of the Public Employees' Retirement System

FROM: Public Employees' Retirement System Board of Trustees

SUBJECT: State Representative Elected to the Public Employees’ Retirement System Board of Trustees

The attached Certifying Officer Letter has been issued by the PERS Board of Trustees to announce the election of William O’Brien to a three year term, effective July 1, 2017, as the State Representative to the PERS Board of Trustees.

The PERS Board of Trustees requests that the attached letter be prominently posted in your workplace as official notice to PERS State employees of the election results.

Additional information about the 2017 PERS Board of Trustee Elections is available on the Division’s Web site at: http://nj.gov/treasury/pensions/pers-board-election.shtml

DISTRIBUTION OF THIS LETTER

Certifying Officers should forward this message to their human resources staff, benefit administrators, and any other staff members responsible for the administration of pension benefits for employees.

If you need to review previous e-messages, they are available on the Division’s Web site at:http://nj.gov/treasury/pensions   At the home page, go to “Online Services — Employer Pensions and Benefits Information Connection (EPIC)” and then on the EPIC page select “Archive of E-Messages.”

Please note: It is important that the Certifying Officer’s e-mail address is kept current with the Employer Pensions and Benefits Information Connection (EPIC) to assure the accurate and timely delivery of this information. Update your information using the Employer Demographics application in EPIC.

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E-MAIL MESSAGE – March 1, 2017

TO: Certifying Officers, Human Resource Representatives, and Benefit Administrators

FROM: The New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits

SUBJECT: EMPLOYER TRAINING WEBINARS — NEW TOPICS FOR 2017

The Division of Pensions and Benefits is pleased to announce the addition of four NEW Employer Training Topics. These are in addition to our regular employer training topics, which are listed in the attached schedule.

The new topics include:

Pension Resources for the Employer

This employer training session is an employer’s guide to Pension resources and is designed to assist anyone working in a payroll or benefit administration position. The webinar covers access to the online Employer Pensions and Benefits Administrative Manual (EPBAM), archived Certifying Officer letters, handbooks, fact sheets, retirement resources, online user’s guides, and other important links available on our Web site. The webinar is approximately 20-25 minutes in duration and includes a Q&A period.

Completing Certifications

This employer training session is designed for anyone responsible for submitting certifications through the Employer Pensions and Benefits Information Connection (EPIC). The webinar focuses on Purchase, Withdrawal, and Death Certifications. We review each certification question line-by-line and discuss additional documentation that may be needed by the Division once the certification is submitted. The webinar is approximately 20-25 minutes in duration and includes a Q&A period.  (For Retirement Certifications, please attend Pension Processing Part 1 and/or The Employer’s Role When a Member Retires.)

IROC Quick Tips

This employer training session is designed as a review for those who have recently completed the more comprehensive IROC training or who have experience completing the IROC but need to refresh their IROC knowledge. Topics include adding and deleting members from the IROC and particulars to be mindful of when making such changes.  We examine the IROC reconciliation page and how to use it to complete your IROC submission.  Also included is an overview of the Transmittal Electronic Payment System (TEPS), how to make changes in TEPS, and how to find help regarding TEPS payment issues. The webinar is approximately 15 to 20 minutes in duration and includes a Q&A period.

COBRA When, Why & How?

This employer training session is designed for anyone in benefit administration or responsible for maintaining their location’s health benefits under the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) or School Employees’ Health Benefits Program (SEHBP). The webinar focuses on guidelines to follow when a COBRA offering is due for an employee or their eligible dependent. The training defines COBRA and outlines the qualifying events for eligibility.  We review the mandated timeframes, payment processing, and required mailing procedures under the federal guidelines.  The webinar is approximately 15-20 minutes in duration and includes a Q&A period.

Register Online at: http://www.nj.gov/treasury/pensions/training-intro.shtml

DISTRIBUTION OF THIS MESSAGE

Certifying Officers should forward this message to their Human Resources staff, benefit administrators, and any other staff members responsible for the administration of pension and benefits for employees.

PLEASE NOTE: It is important that the Certifying Officer’s e-mail address is kept current with the Employer Pensions and Benefits Information Connection (EPIC) to assure the accurate and timely delivery of this information. Update your information using the Employer Demographics application in EPIC.

If you have questions or concerns about the content of this message, contact the Division of Pensions and Benefits at: pensions.nj@treas.nj.gov  or go to: https://www.state.nj.us/treas/pensions/pensionmail.shtml

Attachment: Seminar and Webinar Dates Adobe PDF (197K)

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E-MAIL MESSAGE – January 24, 2017

TO: Certifying Officers, Human Resource Representatives, and Benefit Administrators

FROM: The New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits

SUBJECT: Retirement Seminars and Webinars for Employees

Please make this information available to your employees.

Do you have employees who are looking for information about retirement? 

The Division of Pensions and Benefits has upcoming Retirement Seminars scheduled for members of the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS), Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF), or Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS).  Both in-person Seminars and live online webinars are available.

In-person Seminars are available at locations across the state, including five new locations in Perth Amboy, Union, Belvidere, Monroe Township, and Gibbstown – see the attached list for seminar dates and locations.  Live Webinars cover all of the information in our seminars but can be attended without travel from your own computer. 

Designed for employees who are planning for retirement, retirement seminars and webinars provide a step-by-step look at the retirement process. We explain retirement benefits, beneficiary options, group life insurance, and how to submit the retirement application online using MBOS. Retirement eligibility, purchase, loan repayment provisions, and the taxability of pension are explained along with a brief discussion of State Health Benefits Program and School Employees’ Health Benefits Program coverage in retirement. Seminars and Webinars conclude with a question and answer period.
The attached file provides details on Seminar dates, times, and locations, in addition to important suggestions for attendees. The file is in PDF format and requires Acrobat Reader which is available free from Adobe via a link at: http://www.state.nj.us/acrobat.htm

ADDITIONAL TRAINING DATES

Please check our Web site regularly for newly added seminar/webinar dates and/or locations.  For a complete list of employee pension training opportunities, visit the Division of Pensions and Benefits’ Workshop Registration page at:  http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/workshop-intro.shtml

DISTRIBUTION OF THIS MESSAGE

Certifying Officers should make this information available to their employees, and forward this message to their Human Resources staff, benefit administrators, and any other staff members responsible for the administration of pension and benefits for employees.

Please note: It is important that the Certifying Officer’s e-mail address is kept current with the Employer Pensions and Benefits Information Connection (EPIC) to assure the accurate and timely delivery of this information. Update your information using the Employer Demographics application in EPIC.

Attachment: Seminar and Webinar Dates Adobe PDF (181K)

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CERTIFYING OFFICER LETTER – January 4, 2017

TO: Certifying Officers, All Funds

FROM: The New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits

SUBJECT: Health Benefits Coverage Pending Disability Retirement

The Division of Pensions and Benefits is changing its procedure for how employees applying for a disability retirement receive health benefits during the application process. The attached letter explains the new procedure.

DISTRIBUTION OF THIS MESSAGE

Certifying Officers should forward this message to their human resources staff, benefit administrators, and any other staff members responsible for the administration of pension benefits for employees.

Should you have any questions or need additional assistance, please contact the Division's Employer Education Unit at (609) 292-7524 or send an e-mail to pensions.nj@treas.nj.gov

Current and archived Certifying Officer Letters are available for viewing on the Division’s Web  at: http://www.nj.gov/treasury/pensions   On the home page, click on “Information for Employers” and then select the link for “Certifying Officer Letters.”

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