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Retirement
State Police Retirement System
Included in the following tables
are the "types" of retirement and their eligibility
requirements, as offered under the State Police Retirement System
(SPRS).
The required forms and procedures
for each type are also outlined. If you wish to view the
forms, click on their titles and a sample form will appear in
your browser. Also, instructions for completing the forms
can be obtained by clicking on the line you need help with.
As a general rule, three to four
months advance filing will facilitate processing of a SPRS member's
retirement in a timely manner. Please do not delay in completing
the employer tasks once you become aware that a member will retire.
SPRS Membership Tiers
Please note that effective May 21, 2011, SPRS members are now classified by enrollment date, as eligibility requirements for SPRS enrollment and retirement are now different for three distinct enrollment periods, according to the law. The “membership tiers” by enrollment date are:
- Tier 1 Membership, for members who were enrolled on or before May 21, 2010.
- Tier 2 Membership, for members who were eligible to enroll between May 21, 2010 and June 28, 2011.
- Tier 3 Membership, for members who are eligible to enroll after June 28, 2011.
Final Compensation — Tier 1
For a SPRS Tier 1 member enrolled on or before May 21, 2010, Final Compensation means the salary upon which pension contributions were based in the last 12 months of creditable service preceding retirement.
Final Compensation — Tier 2 and Tier 3
For a SPRS Tier 2 and Tier 3 member enrolled after May 21, 2010, Final Compensation means the average salary upon which pension contributions were based for any three fiscal years (July-June) of membership preceding retirement that provide the largest possible benefit.
Retirement allowance formulas for SPRS Service, Special, and Deferred Retirements are the same for Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 members, but Final Compensation calculations are different, according to the above definitions.
For all SPRS members, Final Compensation includes maintenance allowance value for the same period.
Service under Other Pension Systems
Only service as a member of the SPRS may be used to satisfy the minimum creditable service requirements for the available SPRS retirement types below.
Service from other New Jersey State-administered retirement systems cannot be used to satisfy the minimum creditable service requirements for the SPRS retirement types.
Such service may, however, be applied to a member's retirement allowance as an additional one percent of Final Compensation per year of service, up to the limits specified or to meet the 25-year requirement for State-paid health benefits coverage.
| Mandatory
Retirement |
| Eligibility |
The mandatory retirement age
for all members of the SPRS is 55. If a member does
not file a retirement application before the mandatory retirement
date, the member is automatically retired on that date. |
| Benefit |
Benefits are not payable
until after an application is on file at the Division of
Pensions and Benefits.
Benefits will be calculated depending upon the type of retirement
for which the member qualifies (see below). |
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Service Retirement |
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Eligibility |
Benefit Calculation |
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At any age with 20 or more
years of service credit. |
50% of Final Compensation.* |
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At age 55 (mandatory retirement), with any amount of service credit, if enrolled on or before August 30, 1985. |
50% of Final Compensation.* |
*Tier 1 Final Compensation: For Tier 1 SPRS members, Final Compensation means the salary earned for creditable service on which pension contributions were based for the last 12 months before retirement.
Tier 2 and Tier 3 Final Compensation: For SPRS Tier 2 or Tier 3 members (enrollment after May 21, 2010), Final Compensation means the average salary upon which pension contributions were based for any three fiscal years (July-June) of membership preceding retirement that provides the largest possible benefit. |
NOTE: Former membership earned under another State-administered retirement system, such as the PERS, TPAF, or PFRS, may be purchased or transferred for credit in the SPRS, but the service time purchased may not be used to qualify for a SPRS Service Retirement.
Former membership service under another State-administered retirement system (PERS, TPAF, or PFRS) that is purchased or transferred for credit in the SPRS will be used in the computation of a retirement
allowance on the basis of 1% of final compensation* for each year
of such service credit. |
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Member Responsibilities |
- Submit a SPRS
Application for Retirement Allowance prior to
retirement date.
Instructions for completing
the SPRS Application for Retirement Allowance.
- Submit proof of age for
member;
- Submit proof of age for
beneficiary; *
- Submit photocopy of: Marriage Certificate; OR Civil Union Certificate from NJ or a valid certification from another jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex civil unions; OR New Jersey Certificate of Domestic Partnership dated prior to February 19, 2007, or a valid certification from another jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex domestic partners*
* Required to process death
benefit after retirement. |
| Employer Responsibilities |
- Submit a Certification
of Service and Final Salary for member to the
Division of Pensions and Benefits.
Instructions for
completing a Certification of Service and Final Salary
- Submit copies of indictments,
convictions and/or preliminary and final notices of
disciplinary action, if Question #6 is answered "yes"
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Special
Retirement |
|
Eligibility |
At any age with 25 or more
years of SPRS service credit. |
| Benefit Calculation* |
65 percent of Final Compensation*,
plus
1 percent of Final Compensation* per year over 25 years (up to 30 years)
Benefit not to exceed 70%
*Tier 1 Final Compensation: For Tier 1 SPRS members, Final Compensation means the salary earned for creditable service on which pension contributions were based for the last 12 months before retirement.
Tier 2 and Tier 3 Final Compensation: For SPRS Tier 2 or Tier 3 members (enrollment after May 21, 2010), Final Compensation means the average salary upon which pension contributions were based for any three fiscal years (July-June) of membership preceding retirement that provides the largest possible benefit. |
|
Member Responsibilities |
- Submit a SPRS
Application for Retirement Allowance for SPRS
prior to retirement date.
- Instructions
for completing the SPRS Application for Retirement
Allowance
- Submit proof of age for
member
- Submit proof of age for
beneficiary *
- Submit photocopy of: Marriage Certificate; OR Civil Union Certificate from NJ or a valid certification from another jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex civil unions; OR New Jersey Certificate of Domestic Partnership dated prior to February 19, 2007, or a valid certification from another jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex domestic partners*
* Required to process
death benefit after retirement. |
|
Employer Responsibilities |
- Submit a Certification
of Service and Final Salary for member to the
Division of Pensions and Benefits.
Instructions for
completing the Certification of Service and Final
Salary
- Submit copies of indictments,
convictions and/or preliminary and final notices of
disciplinary action,if Question #6 is answered "yes".
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NOTE: Former membership earned under another State-administered retirement system, such as the PERS, TPAF, or PFRS, may be purchased or transferred for credit in the SPRS, but that service time may not be used to qualify for a SPRS Special Retirement.
*Former membership service under another State-administered retirement system (PERS, TPAF, or PFRS) that is purchased or transferred for credit in the SPRS will be used in the computation of a retirement
allowance on the basis of 1% of final compensation for each year
of such service credit. |
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| Deferred
Retirement |
|
Eligibility |
- At any age under age 55
with 10 or more years of service credit.
- Retirement becomes effective
the first of the month after turning age 55.
|
| Benefit Calculation |
2 percent of Final Compensation*
per year of service credit, up to 25 years of service.
Prior to turning age 55,
the member may cancel the retirement and withdraw the
contributions, or return to work and reactivate the
account.
*Tier 1 Final Compensation: For Tier 1 SPRS members, Final Compensation means the salary earned for creditable service on which pension contributions were based for the last 12 months before retirement.
Tier 2 and Tier 3 Final Compensation: For SPRS Tier 2 or Tier 3 members (enrollment after May 21, 2010), Final Compensation means the average salary upon which pension contributions were based for any three fiscal years (July-June) of membership preceding retirement that provides the largest possible benefit. |
| If death occurs
between date of resignation and the effective date of retirement,
only the return of member contributions is payable to the
named beneficiary. |
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| Member Responsibilities |
- Submit a SPRS
Application for Retirement Allowance for SPRS
prior to retirement date.
Instructions for completing
the SPRS Application for Retirement Allowance
- Submit proof of age for
member
- Submit proof of age for
beneficiary *
- Submit photocopy of: Marriage Certificate; OR Civil Union Certificate from NJ or a valid certification from another jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex civil unions; OR New Jersey Certificate of Domestic Partnership dated prior to February 19, 2007, or a valid certification from another jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex domestic partners*
* Required to process
death benefit after retirement. |
| Employer Responsibilities: |
-
Submit a "Certification
of Service and Final Salary" for member to
the Division of Pensions and Benefits.
Instructions for
completing the "Certification of Service and
Final Salary"
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Copies of indictments,
convictions and/or preliminary and final notices of
disciplinary action - if Question #6 is answered "yes"
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Disability Retirements
| Ordinary
Disability Retirement |
|
Eligibility |
Member must be "in service",
and have at least four years of creditable service,
and is considered totally and permanently disabled from
their job duties and any other duty made available by the
Superintendent of the State Police.
Please Note: A "member
in service" means that the member or the employer was
making pension contributions to the retirement system at
the time of filing the application for a disability retirement
allowance. It may also mean that the member was on an approved
leave of absence, paid or unpaid, or suspension, paid or
unpaid, at the time of filing the application for a disability
retirement allowance, and it has not been more than the
time frames permitted by N.J.S.A. 43:16A-9(5)a for active
membership since the member's last contribution to the retirement
system. If the member had pending litigation for wrongful
termination filed against the employer, the member has 30
days from the date the litigation is resolved to file for
disability retirement in order to be considered a "member
in service". |
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Benefit Calculation
|
40% of Final Compensation
OR
1.5 percent of Final Compensation for each year of service
WHICHEVER IS HIGHER
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Member Responsibilities |
- Submit a SPRS
Application for Disability Retirement Allowance
prior to retirement date (except for Involuntary Disability
Retirement).
Instructions
for completing the SPRS Application for Disability
Retirement Allowance
- Submit proof of age for
member;
- Submit proof of age for
beneficiary;*
- Submit photocopy of: Marriage Certificate; OR Civil Union Certificate from NJ or a valid certification from another jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex civil unions; OR New Jersey Certificate of Domestic Partnership dated prior to February 19, 2007, or a valid certification from another jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex domestic partners*
- Have medical providers
complete Medical
Examination by Personal or Treating Physician
forms (as many as necessary).
View Instructions
for completing Medical Examination by Personal or Treating
Physician
- Secure medical records
through Authorization
for Release of Medical Records.
- View
Instructions for completing Authorization for Release
of Medical Records.
* Required to process
death benefit after retirement.
Please note: Once the
SPRS Board of Trustees grants approval for a disability
retirement, the member may only cancel the retirement by
submitting a letter requesting to do so to the Board of
Trustees, with a written statement from his/her physician
expressing that the member can return to work. The Disability
Review Section would then send the member for an IME, and
all medical information would be again submitted to the
Medical Review Board. Once all of the above information
is received, the Board of Trustees would make a determination
of whether member is able to return to work or not. |
|
Employer Responsibilities |
- Submit a SPRS Application
for Disability Retirement on the employee's behalf.
- Complete Employer
Certification for Disability Retirement as soon
as possible upon learning of member's retirement and submit
to the Division of Pensions and Benefits.
View Instructions for
completing the Employer Certification for Disability
Retirement.
- Copies of indictments, convictions
and/or preliminary and final notices of disciplinary action,
if Question #6 is answered
"yes".
- Enclose a letter addressed
to the Division of Pensions and Benefits stating that,
in the employing authority's opinion, the member is
"totally and permanently disabled" from fulfilling
his or her job duties. The employer must submit attendance
records, along with any pertinent medical records.
Sample Letter
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Accidental
Disability Retirement |
|
Eligibility |
- Member must be enrolled
at time of accident (no minimum years of service credit),
and;
- Be a member "in service"
at the time the application is filed at the Division
of Pensions and Benefits, and;
- Be considered totally
and permanently disabled from his or her job duties
as a direct result of a traumatic event occurring during
and a result of regular of assigned duties, but not
as a result of willful negligence, and;
- Must be disabled for the
performance of any other duty made available by the
Superintendent of the State Police, and;
- Application must be on
file within five years of the accident.
Please Note: A "member
in service" means that the member or the employer
was making pension contributions to the retirement system
at the time of filing the application for a disability
retirement allowance. It may also mean that the member
was on an approved leave of absence, paid or unpaid, or
suspension, paid or unpaid, at the time of filing the
application for a disability retirement allowance, and
it has not been more than the time frames permitted by
N.J.S.A. 43:16A-9(5)a for active membership since the
member's last contribution to the retirement system. If
the member had pending litigation for wrongful termination
filed against the employer, the member has 30 days from
the date the litigation is resolved to file for disability
retirement in order to be considered a "member in
service". |
| Benefit Calculation |
2/3 of salary at the time of the "traumatic event" or at time of retirement, whichever is higher. |
|
Member Responsibilities |
- Complete and submit a
SPRS Application
for Disability Retirement Allowance prior to
retirement date.
Instructions
for completing the SPRS Application for Disability
Retirement Allowance.
- Submit proof of age for
member;
- Submit proof of age for
beneficiary;*
- Submit photocopy of: Marriage Certificate; OR Civil Union Certificate from NJ or a valid certification from another jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex civil unions; OR New Jersey Certificate of Domestic Partnership dated prior to February 19, 2007, or a valid certification from another jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex domestic partners*
- Have medical providers
complete Medical
Examination by Personal or Treating Physician
forms (as many as necessary);
(View Instructions for completing the Medical
Examination by Personal or Treating Physician.)
- Secure medical records
through Authorization
for Release of Medical Records;
(View Instructions
for completing the Authorization for Release of Medical
Records.)
* Required to process
death benefit after retirement.
Please note: Once
the SPRS Board of Trustees grants approval for a disability
retirement, the member may only cancel the retirement
by submitting a letter requesting to do so to the Board
of Trustees, with a written statement from his/her physician
expressing that the member can return to work. The Disability
Review Section would then send the member for an IME,
and all medical information would be again submitted
to the Medical Review Board. Once all of the above information
is received, the Board of Trustees would make a determination
of whether member is able to return to work or not. |
|
Employer Responsibilities |
- Complete Employer
Certification for Disability Retirement as soon
as possible upon learning of member's retirement and
submit to the Division of Pensions and Benefits.
(View Instructions for completing the Employer
Certification for Disability Retirement.)
- Submit copies of indictments,
convictions and/or preliminary and final notices of
disciplinary action, if
Question #5 is answered "yes".
- Submit copies of accident
reports, incident reports, witness statements, medical
records relating to the incident, and other related
documents.
- Submit copies of Workers'
Compensation awards.
|
| Involuntary
Disability Retirement |
| Eligibility |
- Four or more years of New Jersey service credit
(out-of-state, U.S. Government and Military purchases cannot be used to attain the four years)*, and
- Subject to Involuntary
Ordinary Disability Retirement
* The Involuntary Disability
Retirement Allowance calculation for members with four
or more years of service credit but less than twenty years
of service credit is different from that used for members
with twenty or more years of service credit. Please see Benefit below.
- Member is considered totally
and permanently disabled from their job duties and any
other duty made available by the Superintendent of the
State Police, and
- Member is required to retire
upon application by the State.
|
| Benefit |
For members having four
or more but less than twenty years of service credit,
the calculation is the same as the regular Ordinary Disability
Retirement calculation:*
40% X Final Compensation* = Annual Maximum Pension (if
approved).
For members with twenty
or more years of service credit, the special "Involuntary
Disability Retirement" calculation is:*
50% X Final Compensation* =
Annual Maximum Pension, plus
3% for each year over 20 - up to a maximum of 65%
(if
approved).
*Out-of-state, U.S. government, and military service purchases may not be used to qualify for an Involuntary Disability retirement or to qualify for the higher benefit for members with 20 or more years of service.
*Tier 1 Final Compensation: For Tier 1 SPRS members, Final Compensation means the salary earned for creditable service on which pension contributions were based for the last 12 months before retirement.
Tier 2 and Tier 3 Final Compensation: For SPRS Tier 2 and Tier 3
members (enrollment after May 21, 2010), Final Compensation means the average salary upon which pension contributions were based for any three fiscal years (July-June) of membership preceding retirement that provides the largest possible benefit.
|
| |
| Member Responsibilities |
Supply proof
of age document for member.
Supply proof
of age document for spouse, civil union partner, or eligible same-sex domestic partner. *
Supply photocopy of: Marriage Certificate; OR Civil Union Certificate from NJ or a valid certification from another jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex civil unions; OR New Jersey Certificate of Domestic Partnership dated prior to February 19, 2007 or a valid certification from another jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex domestic partners.*
Have medical providers complete Medical
Examination by Personal or Treating Physician forms (as many as necessary)
Secure medical records through Authorization
for Release of Medical Records
*Required for Survivor's
Pension to be paid upon retiree's death.
Please note: Once
the PFRS Board of Trustees grants approval for a disability
retirement, the member may only cancel the retirement
by submitting a letter requesting to do so to the Board
of Trustees, with a written statement from his/her physician
expressing that the member can return to work. The Disability
Review Section would then send the member for an IME,
and all medical information would be again submitted to
the Medical Review Board. Once all of the above information
is received, the Board of Trustees would make a determination
of whether member is able to return to work or not.
Also, when an employer submits
a PFRS Application for Disability Retirement Allowance for a member's Involuntary Disability Retirement, the
member may not change the date of retirement indicated
by the employer. |
| Employer Responsibilities |
- Complete a PFRS
Application for Disability Retirement Allowance on behalf of the member.
Do not sign or designate beneficiaries for the
member—the member will have opportunity to do that
later. In place of the member's signature, write, "Involuntary
Disability Retirement" and have the Certifying
Officer sign.
Instructions on
completing the Disability Retirement Application.
- Complete Employer
Certification for Disability Retirement as soon
as possible upon learning of member's retirement. Write
"Involuntary" on the top of the application.
Instructions on completing the Disability Retirement Certification.
- Enclose a letter addressed
to the Division of Pensions and Benefits stating that,
in the employing authority's opinion, the member is
"totally and permanently disabled" from fulfilling
his or her job duties. The employer must submit attendance
records, along with any pertinent medical records.
Sample Letter
- Local employers must also submit a resolution, authorizing the employing location to process an Involuntary Disability Retirement Application.
Sample Resolution
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Survivor's Pension
Benefits
The calculation of SPRS survivor benefits, when such a benefit is available, and the amount of a death benefit to a beneficiary, now depends upon SPRS membership tier, or more specifically, the Final Compensation (or final salary) definition that applies to a member's SPRS membership tier.
SPRS
"Accidental Death -- In Service" |
|
If an active member dies
as a result of an accident while in the performance of
regular or assigned duties, not as a result of willful
negligence, an "Accidental Death" Benefit is
payable to eligible dependents. |
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Benefit: Group Life
Insurance benefit of 3.5 X member's Final Compensation**
to designated Beneficiary(ies); |
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PLUS: |
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Benefit to Surviving Spouse, Civil Union Partner, or Eligible Same-Sex Domestic Partner* |
70% X Final Compensation**
= Annual Pension |
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To Surviving Children
** (If No Spouse, Civil Union Partner, or Eligible Same-Sex Domestic Partner) |
20% for one child, 35% for
two, 50% for three or more children, until age 18 |
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To Parents (If No Spouse, Civil Union Partner, or Eligible Same-Sex Domestic Partner;
OR No Children) |
25% if one surviving parent;
40% if two surviving parents who are dependent upon the
deceased. |
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* Spouse, Civil Union Partner, or Eligible Same-Sex Domestic Partner:
Spouse: Member and spouse must be married as of the date
of death to qualify for survivor benefits. Benefit to
surviving spouse will continue even if the surviving
spouse subsequently remarries after the member's death,
for a surviving spouse's subsequent remarriage
occurring on or after September 12, 2003. If the surviving
spouse remarried before September 12, 2003, the survivor
benefit ceases.
Civil Union Partner, Eligible Same-Sex Domestic Partner: Civil union or eligible same-sex domestic partnership between the member and the civil union partner, or member and eligible same-sex domestic partner, must be in effect as of the date
of death to qualify for survivor benefits. Benefit to
surviving civil union partner or eligible same-sex domestic partner will continue even if the surviving
civil union partner or eligible same-sex domestic partner subsequently remarries or enters into a civil union after the member's death.
** Children:
Children means a deceased active or retired member's
unmarried children (1) under the age of 18, or (2) of
any age who, at the time of the member's death, are
disabled because of mental or physical incapacity and
are unable to do any substantial gainful work because
of the impairment. The incapacity must last or can be
expected to last for a continuous period of not less
than 12 months as affirmed by the medical board.
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SPRS
"Death After Retirement" |
|
Benefit to Surviving Spouse* |
50% X Final Compensation** =
Annual Pension |
|
If No Spouse * |
20% for one child, 35% for
two, 50% for three or more children, until age 18 |
|
If No Spouse * or Children** |
25% if one surviving parent;
40% if two surviving parents who are dependent upon the
deceased. |
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* Spouse, Civil Union Partner, or Eligible Same-Sex Domestic Partner:
Spouse: Member and spouse must be married as of the date
of death to qualify for survivor benefits. The subsequent remarriage
of a surviving spouse following the member's death will
terminate the benefit eligibility status;
OR
Civil Union Partner or Eligible Same-Sex Domestic Partner: A civil union or domestic partnership between the member and the civil union partner or eligible same-sex domestic partner, must be in effect as of the date
of death in order for the surviving civil union partner or same-sex domestic partner to qualify for survivor benefits. If the surviving civil union partner or eligible same-sex domestic partner subsequently remarries or enters into a civil union after the member's death, his/her benefit eligibility for this benefit is terminated.
** Children: Children
means a deceased active or retired member's unmarried
children (1) under the age of 18, or (2) of any age
who, at the time of the member's death, are disabled
because of mental or physical incapacity and are unable
to do any substantial gainful work because of the impairment.
The incapacity must last or can be expected to last
for a continuous period of not less than 12 months as
affirmed by the medical board. |
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