Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds Jackson has introduced two bills, A5158 and A5160, in the New Jersey Assembly aimed at restructuring the state's pension system. The proposed legislation seeks to consolidate the five tiers of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) and Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) into a single tier. This move is intended to ensure fairness and provide public service employees with economic security upon retirement.
In parallel, Senator Linda Greenstein has presented identical bills, S5158 and S3997, in the Senate. These legislative efforts come after extensive organizing by members of the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), which has prioritized these pension reforms.
Assemblywoman Reynolds Jackson expressed her support for educators and public employees affected by the current tiered pension system. "I am proud to stand with educators, state, county, and local employees who, based on the year they were hired, are in pension tiers that put a secure retirement out of reach for many," she stated. She highlighted that requiring over 40 years of service for full pension eligibility discourages individuals from pursuing or remaining in public service roles.
NJEA President Sean Spiller praised Reynolds Jackson's leadership on this issue. "At a time when we are experiencing severe staff shortages, with too many of our experienced educators leaving mid-career, we know that restoring pension fairness and the promise of a secure retirement will help both attract the next generation of educators and keep the dedicated professionals we already have," he said. Spiller emphasized that these changes would benefit students, families, and communities across New Jersey.
More than 30,000 NJEA members have committed to advocating for these bills as they progress through the legislative process in 2025.
