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Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way

Division of Pensions & Benefits

Board of Trustees & Commission Meeting Dates and Agendas for 2018

Please navigate to your plan below to find the meeting dates and agendas. Once agendas are received, they are linked to the meeting date associated.

2023 2022

The Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS)

Meetings are held every third Wednesday at 10:00 A.M.

*Indicates change due to holiday or conflict of original schedule.

Nine Member Board: 6 Elected, 2 Gubernatorial Appointments, 1 Treasurer's Appointment

Name Term Position
Carey Brown 7/1/18 – 6/30/21 State Representative
Susanne Culliton N/A Treasurer's Representative
William O'Brien** 7/1/17-6/30/20 State Representative
Jeff S. Ignatowitz N/A Board Secretary - Division of Pensions & Benefits
Tracy Smith 7/1/17 – 6/30/20 County Representative
Thomas Bruno*(l) 7/1/16-6/30/19 State Representative
Benjamin “Max” Hurst 7/1/16-6/30/19 Municipal
William Tedder N/A Asst. Board Secretary - Division of Pensions & Benefits
Ronald Winthers N/A Gubernatorial Appointee
Robert Kelly N/A DAG - Legal Advisor - Division of Law
Brian Currie 7/1/17-6/30/20 Municipal Representative
Vacancy N/A Gubernatorial Appointee

*Chairperson

**Vice-chairperson

(l) State Investment Council Representative

(a) Actuarial Selection Committee Representative

The election process has begun to fill two positions on the Board of Trustees of the Public Employees’ Retirement System; one State representative position and one Municipal representative position. Election notices were distributed in early-October to all employing locations with enrolled PERS State members and to all employing locations with enrolled PERS Municipal members. The Certifying Officer at each employing location is required to distribute this information to all eligible employees when the notice is received.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE

Nominations are being accepted to fill the “State” representative position on the PERS Board of Trustees. A State representative will be elected for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2019 and ending on June 30, 2022. A member who wishes to be a candidate for the PERS State position must be an active or retired PERS State member and must be nominated by at least 500 active State members. Only active PERS-State members may nominate a candidate for the PERS State position.

If you wish to declare your interest in running for this position, please send a written request by December 3, 2018, to the PERS Board Secretary at NJBOT.Nomination@treas.nj.gov or P.O. Box 295, Trenton, N.J., 08625-0295.

Nominations must be received online or arrive in the Board Office on or before 4:00 p.m. Friday, January 4, 2019. If more than one State candidate receives 500 or more nominations, an election will be required. Election ballots will be mailed to PERS State employers for distribution on or March 27, 2019.

Instructions for the nominating process are available upon receipt of a written request to the Secretary of the PERS Board of Trustees. After candidates have declared their interest in becoming a PERS Municipal representative, nominations to support a candidate are made primarily through a secure Web site.

The process is easy and it only takes a few minutes to support the candidate of your choice. You just need to have access to a computer and log on to Election America and follow the simple directions. You will need to provide the last (4) digits of your social security number, the first (4) letters of your last name, and your birthdate. You will then see a list of all the candidates, and you can make your selection.

MUNICIPAL REPRESENTATIVE

Nominations are also being accepted to fill the “Municipal” representative position on the PERS Board of Trustees. A Municipal representative will be elected for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2019 and ending on June 30, 2022. A member who wishes to be a candidate for the PERS Municipal position must be an active or retired PERS Municipal member and must be nominated by at least 300 active Municipal members. Only active PERS-Municipal members may nominate a candidate for the PERS Municipal position.

If you wish to declare your interest in running for this position, please send a written request by December 3, 2018, to the PERS Board Secretary at NJBOT.Nomination@treas.nj.gov or P.O. Box 295, Trenton, N.J., 08625-0295.

Nominations must be received online or arrive in the Board Office on or before 4:00 p.m. Friday, January 4, 2019. If more than one Municipal candidate receives 300 or more nominations, an election will be required. Election ballots will be mailed to PERS Municipal employers for distribution on or March 27, 2019.

The process is easy and it only takes a few minutes to support the candidate of your choice. You just need to have access to a computer and log on to https://vote.election-america.com/PERS-Municipal and follow the simple directions. You will need to provide the last (4) digits of your social security number, the first (4) letters of your last name, and your birthdate. You will then see a list of all the candidates, and you can make your selection.

Instructions for the nominating process are available upon receipt of a written request to the Secretary of the PERS Board of Trustees. After candidates have declared their interest in becoming a PERS Municipal representative, nominations to support a candidate are made primarily through a secure Web site.

The general responsibility for the operation of the PERS is vested in the Board of Trustees under the provisions of N.J.S.A. 43:15A-17. The Board meets monthly at the Division of Pensions and Benefits in Trenton. The statute provides that no employee shall suffer loss of salary or wages because of serving on the Board.

After the candidates have declared their interest in becoming a PERS State or Municipal representative, nominations to support your choice for a candidate are made electronically through a secure web site. Please allow sufficient time after this notification for State and Municipal members to request candidacy and to have ample time for the vendor to enter the candidate’s name in the online system.

PRESENT MEMBERS – TERM

State Representatives: Thomas Bruno – 2019; Carey Brown – 2021; William O’Brien – 2020; County Representative: Tracy Smith – 2020; Municipal Representatives: Brian Currie – 2020; Benjamin “Max” Hurst – 2019; Gubernatorial Appointments: Ronald Winthers, One Vacant; State Treasurer’s Representative: Susanne Culliton, Ex-Officio Member

PERS BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Render decisions regarding Disability Retirement cases.
  • Review appeals pertaining to the denial of certain pension benefits.
  • Adopt rules and regulations to provide for the payment of benefits and collection of monies as required by statute.
  • Establish rules and regulations within the limitations of statutes and opinions of the Courts and the Attorney General, designed to prevent injustices and inequities that may arise in the operation of the Retirement System.
  • Resolve individual questions and appeals on the merits of each case in terms of statutes, opinions of the Attorney General, advice of the Actuary and cases cited by counsel as deliberated by the Courts.
  • View monthly and annual reports setting forth data such as assets and liabilities, income and disbursements, and statistical summarization of membership as documented by the Actuary.
  • View monthly and annual reports setting forth data such as assets and liabilities, income and disbursements, and statistical summarization of membership as documented by the Actuary.

The Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF)

Meetings are held every first Thursday at 10:30 A.M.

*Indicates change due to holiday or conflict of original schedule.

Seven Member Board: 3 Teachers; 2 Governor Appointments; 1 Elected by the Board; 1 Treasurer's Representative

Name Term Position
Irene Savicky 12/31/19 Retired Teacher
Howard Lipoff** 12/31/20 Teacher
Vacancy N/A Governor Appointment
Susanne Culliton N/A Treasurer's Representative
James Joyner* (l) 12/31/18 Retired Teacher
Edward G. McCarthy N/A Governor Appointment
Kevin Kelleher 8/31/21 Elected by the Board
Danielle Schimmel N/A DAG - Legal Advisor - Division of Law
Angelina Scales N/A Board Secretary - Division of Pensions & Benefits
Sharon Barnes N/A Assistant Board Secretary - Division of Pensions & Benefits

*Chairperson

**Vice-chairperson

(l) State Investment Council Representative

The Board of Trustees of the TPAF adopted N.J.A.C. 17:3-1.4, which sets forth the procedure for the election of a member-trustee.

ELECTION RESULTS

Edward Yarusinsky from Warren County representing Group B will begin his three year term on January 1, 2019.

2020 TRUSTEE POSITION

The current election is to fill a trustee position from Group C, for a three year term commencing on January 1, 2020.  Group C consists of Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Ocean, and Salem.

Names of those who wish to become a candidate for this position must be a resident of the State of New Jersey and must be employed in or retired from one of the counties listed above in Group C.  Written letters of interest for this position will be accepted by the Secretary of the TPAF Board no later than March 1, 2019.  In the event that more than one candidate has registered with the Board Secretary, an election will be required which is conducted electronically via the member’s Member Benefits Online System (MBOS) account.  The delegates and alternates selected from the membership of each county shall vote for the member-trustee.

DELEGATES/ALTERNATES

We would like to thank those delegates and alternates who registered this year with their respective county.  These names will remain active through May 31, 2019.

Please remember to register with your respective county for the 2020 election of a member-trustee.  Information on the selection of the delegates/alternates should be available with your respective County Superintendent’s Office on or about March 2019.

It is IMPORTANT for the counties to continue to annually submit the names of delegates and alternates.  Eligibility is determined by where you worked-not your residence; therefore, the county contact will be based on the county where you are currently employed or your school district at the time you retired.  If you are interested in being a delegate/alternate for the 2020 election of a member-trustee, contact your respective County Superintendent’s Office.

In order to participate in an election, a delegate/alternate must have an MBOS account in order to cast their vote.  If a delegate/alternate has not established an MBOS account we recommend that they do it by accessing it through the Division’s website.  If a delegate/alternate has established an MBOS account, you may access your MBOS account via the Login link on the State of New Jersey homepage.

We encourage you to periodically visit the Division of Pensions and Benefits Web site for information regarding future elections.

Contact information for each of the 21 counties is provided below.

Please note that the county contacts CANNOT respond to any questions related to pension and health benefits.

Other Relevant information and Links

Applicable Statute and Regulation: N.J.S.A 18A:66-56 and N.J.A.C 17:3-1.4.

Contact information for each of the 21 counties is provided below.

Please note that the county contacts CANNOT respond to any questions related to pension and health benefits.

County County Contact Information Executive County Superintendent and alternate contact
Atlantic Julieta Moya: Julieta.moya@doe.nj.gov Robert Bumpus: robert.bumpus@doe.nj.gov
Bergen Lori Ferrer: lori.ferrer@doe.nj.gov Joseph Zarra: joseph.zarra@doe.nj.gov
Burlington Jackie Lotsey: Jackie.lotsey@doe.nj.gov Daryl Minus-Vincent: daryl.minus-vincent@doe.nj.gov
Camden Rosa Rodriguez: Rosalina.Rodriquez@doe.nj.gov Lovell Pugh-Bassett: lovell.pugh-bassett@doe.nj.gov
Cape May breanne.ratchford@doe.nj.gov Robert Bumpus: robert.bumpus@doe.nj.gov
Cumberland Samantha Ludwig: samantha.ludwig@doe.nj.gov Peggy Nicolosi: peggy.nicolosi@doe.nj.gov
Essex Maria Meyler: maria.meyler@doe.nj.gov Joseph Zarra: joseph.zarra@doe.nj.gov
Gloucester Debbie Sebastiani: deborah.sebastiani@doe.nj.gov Ave Altersitz: ave.altersitz@doe.nj.gov
Hudson Noreen Rizzolo: noreen.rizzolo@doe.nj.gov Melissa Pearce: melissa.pearce@doe.nj.gov
Hunterdon Darlene Wene: darlene.wene@doe.nj.gov Juan Torres: juan.torres@doe.nj.gov
Mercer Tonya Coy: tonya.coy@doe.nj.gov Yasmin Hernandez-Manno: yasmin.hernandez@doe.nj.gov
Middlesex Barbara Ryan: barbara.ryan@doe.nj.gov Yasmin Hernandez-Manno: yasmin.hernandez@doe.nj.gov
Monmouth Hatice Hansen: hatice.hansen@doe.nj.gov Lester Richens: Lester.richens@doe.nj.gov
Morris Shirley Stoll: shirley.stoll@doe.nj.gov Roger Jinks: roger.jinks@doe.nj.gov
Ocean Mark Ward: mark.ward@doe.nj.gov Judith DeStefano-Anen: judith.destefano-anen@doe.nj.gov
Passaic Jackie Trejos: Jackie.trejos@doe.nj.gov Dr. Christopher Irving: christopher.irving@doe.nj.gov
Salem Joan Heil: joan.heil@doe.nj.gov Peggy Nicolosi: peggy.nicolosi@doe.nj.gov
Somerset Lori Watson: lori.watson@doe.nj.gov Roger Jinks: roger.jinks@doe.nj.gov
Sussex Janet Price: janet.price@doe.nj.gov Dr. Rosalie Lamonte: Rosalie.lamonte@doe.nj.gov
Union Camille Busichio: camille.busichio@doe.nj.gov Juan Torres: juan.torres@doe.nj.gov
Warren Samatha Grape: Samatha.grape@doe.nj.gov Dr. Rosalie Lamonte: rosalie.lamonte@doe.nj.gov

Mary Jane Tanner: maryjane.tanner@doe.nj.gov

The Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS)

Meetings are held every Second Monday 10:00 A.M.

  • August 3, 2018 – Special Meeting – Promulgation of PFRS Regulations (9:30 A.M.)
  • August 13, 2018
  • September 10, 2018
  • October 15, 2018*
  • November 5, 2018*
  • December 10, 2018*

    • *Indicates Change Due to Holiday or Conflict of Original Schedule

    Eleven Member Board: 2 Policemen; 2 Firemen; 1 Retiree; 5 Governor's Appointments; 1 Treasurer's Appointment

    Name Term Position
    Michael Kaniuk** 8/31/19 Police Representative
    Richard D. Loccke N/A Governor's Appointment
    Frank Leake N/A Governor's Appointment
    Timothy Colacci* 6/30/20 Fire Member
    Danielle Schimmel N/A (DAG - Legal Advisor)
    Vacancy N/A Governor's Appointment
    Anthony Tarantino 6/30/18 Fire Member
    MaryEllen Rathbun N/A Board Secretary - Division of Pensions & Benefits
    Lisa Pointer N/A Assistant Board Secretary - Division of Pensions & Benefits
    Laurel Brennan N/A Governor's Appointment
    Charles Schwartz*** 6/30/18 Police Member
    Marty Barrett(a)(l) 12/31/20 Retiree
    Susanne Culliton N/A Treasurer's Representative
    vacancy N/A Governor's Appointment

    *Chairperson

    **1st Vice-chairperson

    ***2nd Vice-chairperson

    (l) State Investment Council Representative

    (a) Actuarial Selection Committee Representative

    PFRS Board Responsibilities

    • Render determinations regarding Disability Retirement cases.
    • Review appeals pertaining to the disallowance of pension benefits.
    • Adopt rules and regulations to provide for the payment of benefits and collection of monies as required by statute.
    • Establish rules and regulations within the limitations of statutes and opinions of the Courts and the Attorney General, designed to prevent injustices and inequities that may arise in the operation of the Retirement System.
    • Resolve individual questions on the merits of each case in terms of statutes, opinions of the Attorney General, advice of the Actuary, and cases cited by counsel as deliberated by the Courts.
    • View monthly and annual reports setting forth data such as assets and liabilities, income and disbursements, and statistical summarization of membership as documented by the Actuary.

    P.L. 2018, c. 55 (Chapter 55), established a new Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS) Board of Trustees which will replace the current PFRS Board of Trustees, effective February 1, 2019. The Board of Trustees has the general responsibility for the operation of the PFRS under the provisions of N.J.S.A. 43:16A-13. The Board meets monthly.

    NEW BOARD

    Three (3) active Police Representatives: One (1) elected by the active members of the system, one (1) appointed by the president of the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association, and one (1) appointed by the President of the New Jersey State Fraternal Order of Police.  Three (3) active Fire Representatives: One (1) elected by the active members of the system, one (1) appointed by the president of the New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association, and one (1) appointed by the President of the Professional Firefighter’s Association of New Jersey. One (1) retiree elected from the retirees of the system. Five (5) Trustees appointed by the Governor.

    BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES

    • Render determinations regarding Disability Retirement cases and approve retirements.
    • Review appeals pertaining to the disallowance of pension benefits.
    • Adopt rules and regulations to (a) provide for the payment of benefits and collection of monies as required by the statute and (b) to prevent injustices and inequities that may arise in the operation of the Retirement System within the limitations of statutes and opinions of the Courts.
    • Resolve individual questions on the merits of each case in terms of statutes, advice of the Actuary and cases cited by counsel as deliberated by the Courts.
    • View monthly and annual reports setting forth data such as assets and liabilities, income and disbursements and statistical summarization of membership as documented by the Actuary.
    • The Board will be responsible for the funding policies of the Board and directing the investments of the funds.
    • Transmit hearing requests to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) and review decisions from the OAL.

    Chapter 55 provides for three elected positions. One (1) Fire Representative elected by the active fire members of the system; One (1) Police Representative elected by the active police members of the system; and one (1) Retired Representative elected from the retirees of the system.

    The process to fill these positions has begun since the terms of these 3 positions begins on February 1, 2019.  However, due to the requirements of Chapter 55, this election is being held on a condensed timeline.

    ELECTION INFORMATION FOR ACTIVE REPRESENTATIVES

    Police Representative - The term will begin on February 1, 2019 and end on January 31, 2021.

    Nominations closed on October 22, 2018 for the police representative on the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS) Board of Trustees, C. 55.  Only one candidate, Ray Heck, obtained the requisite number of police member nominations.  Therefore, there was no need to hold an election for this position.  The term for this position begins on February 1, 2019.

    Fire Representative - The term will begin on February 1, 2019 and will end on January 31, 2023.

    Nominations closed on October 22, 2018 for the fire representative on the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS) Board of Trustees, C. 55.  As more than one candidate obtained the requisite number of nominations it was necessary to conduct an election.   The voting period closed on Friday, December 14, 2018.  The results will be presented by the vendor, Election-America, on Friday, December 21, 2018 at the Division of Pensions and Benefits.

    ELECTION INFORMATION FOR A RETIRED REPRESENTATIVE

    Retired Representative - The term will begin on February 1, 2019 and will end on January 31, 2023.

    Nominations closed on October 26, 2018 for the retired representative on the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS) Board of Trustees, C. 55.  As more than one candidate obtained the requisite number of nominations it was necessary to conduct an election. Ballots were mailed by the vendor on or about December 5, 2018.  If any PFRS retiree has not received a ballot, they should immediately contact 1-866-384-9978 and leave a message which includes their name, PFRS retired number, current address and a contact number.  Also, a PFRS retiree can email the aforementioned information to the vendor, Election-America

    The voting period closes on Monday, January 7, 2019 at 5:00 pm.

    The results will be presented by the vendor, Election-America, on Wednesday, January 23, 2019, at the Division of Pensions and Benefits.

    January 8, 2018

    March 12, 2018

    April 9, 2018

    June 11, 2018

    July 9, 2018

    September 10, 2018

    December 10, 2018

    The State Police Retirement System (SPRS)

    Meetings are held every Fourth Tuesday Every Other Month at 10:00 A.M.

    *Indicates Change Due to Holiday or Conflict of Original Schedule

    Five Member Board: 2 members appointed by Superintendent of State Police; 2 Governor's Appointments (Vacant); 1 Treasurer's Appointment

    Name Appointment Date Position
    vacancy N/A Governor's Appointment
    Wayne Korte* 11/28/17 State Police Appointment
    Robert Garrison N/A (DAG - Legal Advisor)
    John K. Sayers N/A Governor's Appointment
    Susanne Culliton N/A Treasurer's Appointment
    Lisa Pointer N/A Assistant Board Secretary - Division of Pensions & Benefits
    Sherri Schuster** 2/9/18 State Police Appointment
    MaryEllen Rathbun N/A Board Secretary - Division of Pensions & Benefits

    *Chairperson

    **Vice-chairperson

    The State Police member representatives to the Board of Trustees are appointed by the Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.

    The Judicial Retirement System (JRS)

    Meetings are held quarterly

    These meetings are run by the State House Commission and take place at the State House. Visit the Statehouse Commission website for more information.

    The State Health Benefits Commission (SHBC)

    Meetings are held every second Wednesday at 10:00 A.M.

    Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at 10:00 a.m. at the Division of Pensions & Benefits, 50 West State Street, Trenton, NJ.

    *Rate Renewal Meetings held at 1:00 p.m.

    • Susanne Culliton, Chairperson, representing State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio
    • Holly Gaenzle, representing Acting Commissioner Marlene Caride of the Dept. of Banking and Insurance
    • Deirdre Webster Cobb, Civil Service Commission
    • Dudley Burdge, AFL-CIO representative for Local Government Employees
    • Debra Davis, AFL-CIO representative for State Government Employees

    The School Employees' Health Benefits Commission (SEHBC)

    Meetings are held every other month at 10:00 A.M.

    Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at 10:00 a.m. at the Division of Pensions & Benefits, 50 West State Street, Trenton, NJ.

    *Rate Renewal Meetings

    **At Thomas Edison State University, Prudence Hall, Trenton, NJ

    • Sonia Rivera-Perez, Chairperson, representing State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio
    • Thomas Gallagher, representing Acting Commissioner Marlene Caride of the Dept. of Banking and Insurance
    • Kevin Kelleher, NJEA
    • Dan Goldman, NJEA
    • Julie Giordano Plotkin, Associate Director, NJEA
    • Cynthia Jahn, N.J. School Boards Association
    • Michael Maillaro, Commissioner, AFL-CIO representative
    • VACANT, Governor's Appointee
    • VACANT, Chairperson

    The Pension and Health Benefits Review Commission (PHBRC)

    The following meeting dates have been scheduled at 10:00 AM in the 1st floor board room at the Division of Pensions and Benefits, 50 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08625:

    • February 16, 2018 - Cancelled
    • April 20, 2018 - Cancelled
    • June 22, 2018 - Cancelled
    • August 17, 2018 - Cancelled
    • October 19, 2018 - Cancelled
    • December 21, 2018 - Cancelled

    The State Health Benefits Program (SHBP)
    and School Employees' Health Benefits Program (SEHBP)
    Plan Design Committees

    State Health Benefits Program Plan Design Committee

    Meetings start at 1:00 P.M.

    School Employees' Health Benefits Program Plan Design Committee

    Meetings start at 10:00 A.M.

    State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) Plan Design Committee Members

    • Justin Zimmerman, Chief of Staff, Department of Banking and Insurance
    • Dini Ajmani, Assistant Treasurer
    • Jennifer Keyes-Maloney, Assistant Treasurer
    • Tennille McCoy, Governor Appointee
    • Michael Zaynor, NJSTFA
    • Kevin Lyons, NJ State PBA
    • Robert Little, AFSCME Department of Research
    • Patrick Nowlan, AAUP – AFT (Chair)
    • Chigozie Onyema, Department of Community Affairs
    • David Ridolfino, Director, Office of Management and Budget
    • Hetty Rosenstein, New Jersey Area Director, CWA/District 1
    • Abdur R. Yasin, NJ FMBA

    School Employees' Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) Plan Design Committee Members

    • David Pointer, Deputy Director, Division of Pensions and Benefits
    • Jennifer Keyes-Maloney, Governor Appointee
    • Kevin Kelleher, Director, NJEA
    • Jean Pierce, AFT/AFL-CIO
    • David Ridolfino, Director, Office of Management and Budget
    • Julie Giordano Plotkin, Associate Director, NJEA

    Other Boards and Committees

    Meetings begin at 9:30 A.M.

    • April 10, 2018
    • June 20, 2018
    • October 9, 2018
    • December 11, 2018

    Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at the Office of the Division of Pensions and Benefits, First Floor Board Room, 50 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey.

    Meetings begin at 9:30 A.M.

    • February 13, 2018
    • August 14, 2018

    Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at the Office of the Division of Pensions and Benefits, First Floor Board Room, 50 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey.

    Meetings begin at 10:00 A.M.

    • February 13, 2018
    • April 10, 2018
    • June 12, 2018
    • August 14, 2108
    • October 9, 2018
    • December 11, 2018

    Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at 10:00 a.m. in the Office of the Division of Pensions and Benefits, First Floor Board Room, 50 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey.

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    Last Updated: Thursday, 12/03/20