I am a member of the Teacher's Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) and am transferring employment to Rutgers University. What are my pension options?
If your position is PERS-eligible, you will be required to enroll in PERS. You will need to complete a PERS Enrollment Application and an Application for Interfund Transfer. If your position is ABP-eligible, you will have the one-time option to join PERS or ABP. If you decide to transfer to ABP, you must complete a set of enrollment forms.
Copies of these forms and instructions can be found on the Instructions for Transferring to the ABP web page. All employees who become eligible for ABP must contact University Human Resources at 848-932-3020 to request an One-Time Option information packet.
Included in this packet is a form indicating receipt of the information which must be returned to University Human Resources within 14 days of receiving the packet.
What do I need to do to complete the transfer to ABP?
If you decide to transfer to ABP, you must complete a set of enrollment forms. Copies of these forms and instructions can be found on the Instructions to Transfer to ABP from PERS webpage.
What if I wish to remain in PERS?
If you choose to remain in PERS, you must only complete the Election of Retirement Coverage form and submit it to your department's Payroll liaison.
What must I do when I become eligible to make this decision?
All employees who become eligible for ABP must contact University Human Resources at 848-932-3020 and request an One-time Option information packet. Included in this packet is a form indicating receipt of the information which must be returned to University Human Resources within 14 days of receiving the packet.
When do PERS members have the one-time option to join ABP?
Employees with an active PERS account from another New Jersey State employer who are hired into an ABP-eligible position will have 30 days from their hire date to decide whether to remain a member in PERS or transfer to ABP.
Part-time lecturers with an active PERS account who are hired into an ABP-eligible position will have 30 days from hire date to decide whether to remain a member in PERS or transfer to ABP.
Current Rutgers employees with an active PERS account who move into an ABP-eligible position will have 90 days from their job transfer date to decide whether to remain a member in the PERS or transfer to ABP.
It is important to note that this is a one-time decision that must be made. If you do not transfer into ABP within the above timeframe, you will continue to participate in PERS and cannot decide at a later date to transfer to ABP.
Where can I find a comparison of PERS and ABP?
Click here to view a comparison chart of key features of the PERS and ABP retirement systems. This information will also be included in the packet that you must request from UHR.
To request an illustration regarding future retirement projections between PERS and TIAA, please complete and submit the Request for PERS and ABP (TIAA) Retirement Income Illustrations and submit to the Division of Pensions and Benefits.
Currently, the only illustration available is through TIAA. However, you can contact any of the seven state-approved investment carriers for information on their investment choices.