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Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS)

Plan Overview

Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) is a defined benefit plan where retirement benefit is based on a formula and guaranteed by the state.

Membership Tiers and Eligibility

The passage of Chapters 92 and 103, P.L. 2007, Chapter 89, P.L. 2008 and Chapter 2, P.L. 2010, changed the enrollment and retirement criteria for PERS members enrolled as of certain dates.  These differences in PERS membership are referred to as "membership tiers".  Please refer to the PERS Membership Tier Chart for additional information.

Employee Contribution

7.5% of salary made on a pretax basis.

Employer Contribution

Determined annually by the state.

Vesting

10 years.

How to Enroll

Voluntary Tax Deferred Savings Plans

You may supplement your retirement savings by participating in:

Types of Retirement

Service, Early, Veteran, Deferred, Ordinary Disability*, Accidental Disability*

Please refer to the PERS Membership Tier Chart for eligibility criteria

*PERS members who retire on a disability retirement on or after June 1, 2010 must pay a minimum of 1.5% of their monthly allowance as a health benefits contribution in retirement

Retirement

Request a Retirement Estimate

Retirement Seminar

Six months prior to retirement, attend a retirement seminar. You can enroll online by selecting the "Employee Benefit and Work-Life Programs" menu option.

How to Apply for Retirement

  • Complete an Application for Retirement Allowance via Member Benefits Online System (MBOS)
  • Send a copy of the Summary of Retirement Application Information to your Human Resources department

*Effective October 1, 2012, The NJ Division of Pension and Benefits is no longer accepting paper applications for retirement. Applications for retirement must be submitted online via the Member Benefits Online System (MBOS).