CERTIFYING OFFICER LETTER — May 16, 2013 TO: Certifying Officers, State and County Colleges and Universities FROM: New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits SUBJECT: Closure of ABP Pre-1995 Annuity Contracts The attached Certifying Officer Letter is being issued by the Division of Pensions and Benefits to announce the closure of Alternate Benefit Program (ABP) pre-1995 annuity contracts — which result from the publication to the New Jersey Administrative Code of final rules relating to the ABP (N.J.A.C. 17:7). DISTRIBUTION OF THIS LETTER Certifying Officers should forward this letter to their Human Resources staff, Benefits Administrators, and any other staff members responsible for administration of ABP benefits for your employees. The letter 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 If you cannot open the attached PDF file, links to this Certifying Officer Letter, past letters, and e-mail messages can be found at: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/epic-messages.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. Update your information using the Employer Demographics application in EPIC. CERTIFYING OFFICER LETTER — May 10, 2013 TO: SHBP/SEHBP Participating Certifying Officers FROM: The New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits SUBJECT: Ten-Month Employee Policy – Reminder The attached Certifying Officer Letter has been issued to SHBP/SEHBP employers as a reminder of the existing policy for the effective dates of SHBP/SEHBP coverage as it applies to 10-month employees. 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 health benefits for employees. The letter 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 If you cannot open the attached PDF file, links to Certifying Officer Letters can be found at: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/epic-messages.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. Update your information using the Employer Demographics application in EPIC. CERTIFYING OFFICER LETTER — March 26, 2013 TO: Certifying Officers and Supervisors of Certifying Officers of SHBP/SEHBP Employers with Participating Part-time Employees FROM: The New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits SUBJECT: Part-time Coverage – System Update for Prescription Coverage The attached Certifying Officer Letter has been issued to SHBP/SEHBP employers with covered part-time employees regarding a recently completed system update for prescription drug coverage through the SHBP/SEHBP health plans. 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 health benefits for employees. The letter and attachment are in PDF format and require Acrobat Reader which is available free from Adobe via a link at: http://www.state.nj.us/acrobat.htm If you cannot open the attached PDF files, links to Certifying Officer Letters can be found at: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/epic-messages.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. Update your information using the Employer Demographics application in EPIC. CERTIFYING OFFICER LETTER — March 14, 2013 TO: Certifying Officers and Supervisors of Certifying Officers FROM: The New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits SUBJECT: Annual Membership Certification Required under Chapter 52, P.L. 2011 The attached Certifying Officer Letter has been issued to announce that the Chapter 52 Annual Membership Certification online application is now available to employers in the Employer Pensions and Benefits Information Connection (EPIC). Chapter 52, P.L. 2011, (N.J.S.A. 43:3C-15) requires that both the Certifying Officer and the immediate Supervisor of the Certifying Officer receive training in enrollments and annually certify for each member of the retirement system, that the enrolled person is eligible for membership in the retirement system in accordance with the statutes and regulations of the retirement system. IMMEDIATE EMPLOYER ACTION IS REQUIRED With the completion of programming, the Chapter 52 Annual Membership Certification is now due from employers. The designated and trained Certifying Officer and Supervisor of the Certifying Officer are both required to complete the Chapter 52 Annual Membership Certification within 30 days of receipt of this letter. Failure to comply with the certification requirement will prevent the Division from accepting any new enrollment applications from the employing location until the certifications are completed. The "Chapter 52 Certification" button will be available when the Certifying Officer or the Supervisor of the Certifying Officer logs on to EPIC. Specific instructions on using the Chapter 52 Annual Membership Certification online application are contained in the Certifying Officer Letter. CERTIFYING ENROLLMENTS Certifying Officers and Supervisors of Certifying Officers should verify that all training in enrollments, as required under Chapter 52, has been completed and that all enrolled persons are eligible for membership in the retirement system in accordance with the statutes and regulations of the retirement system prior to certification (please also refer to the Certifying Officer Letter of January 18, 2013, Professional Services Contracts and Review of PERS Enrollment). The attached letter 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 If you cannot open the attached PDF file, links to Certifying Officer Letters can be found at: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/epic-messages.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. Update your information using the Employer Demographics application in EPIC. CERTIFYING OFFICER LETTER — March 5, 2013 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 Adobe PDF (50K) has been issued by the PERS Board of Trustees to announce the election of Thomas Bruno to a three year term, effective July 1, 2013, 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 2013 PERS Board of Trustee Elections is available on the Division’s Web site at: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/pers-board-election.shtml DISTRIBUTION OF THIS LETTER Certifying Officers should forward this letter to their Human Resources staff and any other staff members responsible for administration of pension benefits for your employees. The letter 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 If you cannot open the attached PDF file, links to this Certifying Officer Letter can be found at: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/epic-messages.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. Update your information using the Employer Demographics application in EPIC. CERTIFYING OFFICER LETTER — March 5, 2013 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 Adobe PDF (50K) has been issued by the PERS Board of Trustees to announce the election of Benjamin "Max" Hurst to a three year term, effective July 1, 2013, 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 2013 PERS Board of Trustee Elections is available on the Division’s Web site at: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/pers-board-election.shtml DISTRIBUTION OF THIS LETTER Certifying Officers should forward this letter to their Human Resources staff and any other staff members responsible for administration of pension benefits for your employees. The letter 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 If you cannot open the attached PDF file, links to this Certifying Officer Letter can be found at: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/epic-messages.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. Update your information using the Employer Demographics application in EPIC. CERTIFYING OFFICER LETTER — February 26, 2013 TO: Certifying Officers, State and County Colleges and Universities FROM: New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits SUBJECT: ABP & ACTS Common Remitter Services The attached Certifying Officer Letter is being issued by the Division of Pensions and Benefits to announce the launch of ING’s Common Remitter services for participants in the New Jersey Alternate Benefit Program (ABP) and Additional Contributions Tax-Sheltered Program (ACTS). DISTRIBUTION OF THIS LETTER Certifying Officers should forward this letter to their Human Resources staff, Benefits Administrators, and any other staff members responsible for administration of ABP and ACTS benefits for your employees. The letter 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 If you cannot open the attached PDF file, links to this Certifying Officer Letter, past letters, and e-mail messages can be found at: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/epic-messages.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. Update your information using the Employer Demographics application in EPIC. E-MAIL MESSAGE TO EMPLOYERS — February 7, 2013 TO: State Biweekly and State Monthly Certifying Officers, Local Government and Local Education Certifying Officers participating in the SHBP and SEHBP FROM: The New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits SUBJECT: Required Notices to SHBP/SEHBP Enrollees - Updated for 2013 Attached to this message you will find the annual update to the Required Notices to SHBP/SEHBP Enrollees Adobe PDF (261K).
The attached document provides everything employers need to comply with the notification requirements.
The notice is in PDF format and requires Acrobat Reader which is available free from Adobe at: http://www.state.nj.us/acrobat.htm Future access to the Notice is accessible from the Forms Index of the Employers’ Pensions & Benefits Administration Manual (EPBAM), which is linked directly from the blue navigation bar at the top of most pages of our Web site: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/ At the top of the Forms Index, select the link to the SHBP/SEHBP section where you will find the notices linked as “COBRA/HIPAA Required Notice.” 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 health benefits for employees. Current and archived E-Mail Messages are also available for viewing on the Division’s Web site at: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/epic-messages.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. Update your information using the Employer Demographics application in EPIC. E-MAIL MESSAGE — February 4, 2013 TO: Local Government and Local Education Certifying Officers, Human Resource Representatives, and Benefit Administrators FROM: New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits, Employer Education Unit SUBJECT: EMPLOYER PENSION TRAINING SEMINAR The Division of Pensions and Benefits has openings available for upcoming Employer Pension Training Seminars for Certifying Officers and other personnel responsible for the administration of pension and benefits at employing locations. INTERNET REPORT OF CONTRIBUTIONS (IROC) TRAINING Friday, February 8, 2013 — 10:00 A.M. This employer training is designed for anyone in payroll or benefit administration who is responsible for completing the quarterly pension Internet Report of Contributions or IROC. Whether you are brand new or a seasoned veteran, we are sure that you will benefit from this training. Enrollment is limited. Please keep in mind that this is NOT a substitute for the enrollment training required by Chapter 52 P.L. 2011. This class is held at the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (Hamilton, N.J.) Register at http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/training-intro.shtml
Additional seminar dates and a wide range of employer training topics are available. For a complete list of training classes, webinars, and available dates visit the Division of Pensions and Benefits’ Employer Training Web page at: http://www.state.nj.us/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. Current and archived E-Mail Messages are also available for viewing on the Division’s Web site at: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/epic-messages.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. Update your information using the Employer Demographics application in EPIC. CERTIFYING OFFICER LETTER — January 24, 2013 TO: Certifying Officers, State and County Colleges and Universities FROM: New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits SUBJECT: FINAL REQUEST – TRANSITION TO RETIREMENT PROGRAMS AND RESCINDING ABP RETIREMENT The attached Certifying Officer Letter has been issued by the Division of Pensions and Benefits regarding the discontinuation of "Transition to Retirement" programs and required corrective measures to be taken with regard to employees who had elected to participate in such programs. The letter is an update to a topic that was previously addressed in the Certifying Officer Letters of July 1, 2011, May 9, 2012, and October 11, 2012. DISTRIBUTION OF THIS LETTER Certifying Officers should forward this letter to their Human Resources staff, Benefits Administrators, and any other staff members responsible for administration of pension benefits for your employees and/or retirees. The letter and attachment are in PDF format and require Acrobat Reader which is available free from Adobe via a link at: http://www.state.nj.us/acrobat.htm If you cannot open the attached PDF files, links to this Certifying Officer Letter, past letters, and e-mail messages can be found at: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/epic-messages.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. Update your information using the Employer Demographics application in EPIC. CERTIFYING OFFICER LETTER — January 18, 2013 TO: Certifying Officers of Local Government/Education Employers participating in the PERS and DCRP FROM: New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits SUBJECT: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACTS AND REVIEW OF PERS ENROLLMENT The attached Certifying Officer Letter, and included Fact Sheet and Checklist, have been issued by the Division of Pensions and Benefits to address instances of improper enrollment in the retirement system — as identified in the recent report from the Office of the State Comptroller — of individuals working as independent contractors or under Professional Services Contracts.
DISTRIBUTION OF THIS LETTER Certifying Officers should forward this letter to their Human Resources staff and any other staff members responsible for administration of retirement system enrollment of your employees. The letter and attachments are in PDF format and require Acrobat Reader which is available free from Adobe via a link at: http://www.state.nj.us/acrobat.htm If you cannot open the attached PDF files, links to this Certifying Officer Letter, past letters, and e-mail messages can be found at: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/epic-messages.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. Update your information using the Employer Demographics application in EPIC. E-MAIL MESSAGE — January 18, 2013 TO: Employers and Members of the New Jersey Retirement Systems FROM: New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits SUBJECT: NEW WEB SITE RESOURCE – ONLINE GUIDE TO RETIREMENT The Division of Pensions and Benefits is pleased to announce a new retirement planning resource available to members of the New Jersey State-administered Retirement Systems* — the Online Guide to Retirement. Available through the Division of Pensions and Benefits Web site, the Online Guide to Retirement is an on-demand, interactive learning environment that includes everything about the retirement process you would learn in a retirement workshop or counseling interview. The Online Guide to Retirement features:
The Online Guide to Retirement is a time saving, easy-to-use resource when you or your employees are ready to retire — or if even just thinking about retirement in the near future. Try out the Online Guide to Retirement today and refer your employees to the guide at http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/retirement/ An announcement flier Adobe PDF (23K) with access information is included with this e-message. Please distribute or post this information for your employees.
DISTRIBUTION OF THIS MESSAGE Please advise your employees of the availability of this new online resource. Certifying Officers should also 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 E-Mail Messages are also available for viewing on the Division’s Web site at: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/epic-messages.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. Update your information using the Employer Demographics application in EPIC. Attachment: Retirement Guide Announcement Flier Adobe PDF (23K) E-MAIL MESSAGE — January 16, 2013 TO: Local Government and Local Education Certifying Officers, Human Resource Representatives, and Benefit Administrators FROM: New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits, Employer Education Unit SUBJECT: EMPLOYER PENSION TRAINING SEMINARS The Division of Pensions and Benefits has openings available for upcoming Employer Pension Training Seminars for Certifying Officers and other personnel responsible for the administration of pension and benefits at employing locations. SEMINAR FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYERS PENSION PROCESSING 202 — EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES Tuesday, January 29, 2013 — 10:00 A.M. A classroom session that provides training on the employer’s responsibility in the pension and benefit process including purchase of service credit, loans, retirement, health benefits and death claims and how to use the Employer Pensions and Benefits Information Connection (EPIC) for these tasks. Also presented is a brief overview of the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP). This class is held at the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (Hamilton, N.J.) Register at http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/training-intro.shtml
PENSION PROCESSING 201 — EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES Friday, January 25, 2013 — 10:00 A.M. A classroom session that provides training on the employer’s responsibility in the pension and benefit process including purchase of service credit, loans, retirement, health benefits and death claims and how to use the Employer Pensions and Benefits Information Connection (EPIC) for these tasks. Also presented is a brief overview of the School Employees' Health Benefits Program (SEHBP). This class is held at the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (Hamilton, N.J.) Register at http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/training-intro.shtml
Additional seminar dates and a wide range of employer training topics are available. For a complete list of training classes, webinars, and available dates visit the Division of Pensions and Benefits’ Employer Training Web page at: http://www.state.nj.us/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. Current and archived E-Mail Messages are also available for viewing on the Division’s Web site at: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/epic-messages.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. Update your information using the Employer Demographics application in EPIC. E-MAIL MESSAGE — January 3, 2013 TO: Local Government, Local Education, and State Monthly Employers Participating in the SHBP and SEHBP FROM: The Division of Pensions and Benefits, Health Benefits Financial SUBJECT: NEW APPLICATION IN EPIC — HEALTH BENEFITS YEAR END COST REPORT FOR 2012 W-2 REPORTING OF GROUP HEALTH COVERAGE The Division of Pensions and Benefits is pleased to announce that a new Health Benefits Year End Cost Report is available to employers through the Employer Pensions and Benefits Information Connection (EPIC). This report is being provided to aid employers who are required under the Affordable Care Act to report on IRS Form W-2 the estimated value of the health insurance coverage provided to employees under the employer’s group health plan. The report will be available to employers who provide coverage through the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) or the School Employees’ Health Benefits Program (SEHBP). The Health Benefits Year End Cost Report provides employers with secure access to the information. The report will be updated annually. Please see IRS notice 2012-9 at http://www.irs.gov/ for detailed information on the reporting requirements. Once the Health Benefits Year End Cost Report is assigned to EPIC users at your location (see instructions below), it is available along with the Health Benefits Alpha and Activity Reports. When the “Year End Report” button is selected, the report will open and display the employee’s name, SSN, and the total health coverage and/or prescription drug cost for 2012 for each employee enrolled under the employer in the SHBP or SEHBP. Additional information about using EPIC applications is available in the EPIC User’s Guide at: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/epickit.htm A link to the EPIC User’s Guide is also found on the EPIC home page. ASSIGNING ACCESS TO NEW EPIC APPLICATIONS Please make sure that employees who require access to this report have the appropriate EPIC access. The designated Certifying Officer must assign access to new EPIC applications to users registered through your employing location. For detailed information about how to assign access to new applications, see the EPIC Security help pages at: It is also important to keep the EPIC security access of your employees up-to-date — and be sure to terminate access for those employees who leave your employment or whose duties change and who no longer require EPIC access. If you experience problems logging onto or using EPIC, you may e-mail the EPIC Help Desk at: 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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Copyright
© State of New Jersey, 1996-2013
Division of Pensions and Benefits
PO Box 295
Trenton, NJ 08625-0295
Last Updated: May 16, 2013