New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A2982

Introduced
2/28/22  

Caption

Provides certain public employees in State-administered retirement system who continue preexisting volunteer relationship with employer have bona fide severance from employment for compliance with State and federal regulations.

Impact

The implications of AB A2982 are significant for the labor landscape within public sector entities, particularly for how retired employees can engage with their communities. By allowing retirees to volunteer, it aims to bolster participation in local governance and mitigate the potential shortage of volunteers that organizations might face. This is particularly critical given the ever-increasing demand for community services that depend on volunteers. The bill requires that the volunteer role must be distinct from their former employment and includes specific conditions, such as specialized training and decision-making responsibilities to ensure compliance with retirement regulations.

Summary

Assembly Bill A2982 seeks to allow certain public employees within State-administered retirement systems to maintain volunteer roles after retirement without jeopardizing their pension status. The bill specifically applies to those who on their retirement date have reached the applicable service retirement age and who will not serve in roles related to their past employment with the same public employer. This legislative measure serves to encourage experienced individuals to continue contributing to their communities in roles that enhance local governance and volunteerism, such as on planning boards or recreation committees.

Contention

While the bill has clear benefits, it does raise important compliance questions regarding federal pension regulations. One contention exists around ensuring that continuing volunteer roles do not conflict with federal definitions of 'bona fide severance from employment,' which typically requires a more extended break from employment to validate retirement benefits. Opponents may argue that this could complicate retirement eligibility and undermine the intended retirement safety net, calling for careful consideration of the bill's potential unintended consequences on pension fund viability.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

NJ HB3180

Federal Compliance for public employee retirement status

NJ A01747

Allows employers to request or require a prospective or current employee to execute a restrictive covenant not to engage in specified acts in competition with the employer after termination of the employment relationship as a condition of employment, continued employment, or with respect to severance pay.

NJ A01361

Allows employers to request or require a prospective or current employee to execute a restrictive covenant not to engage in specified acts in competition with the employer after termination of the employment relationship as a condition of employment, continued employment, or with respect to severance pay.

NJ HF2080

A bill for an act relating to bona fide retirement and subsequent employment as school district support staff under the Iowa public employees' retirement system.

NJ SB5767

AN ACT Relating to providing hiring preferences for state employment to certain federal employees;

NJ HB2042

AN ACT Relating to providing hiring preferences for state employment to certain federal employees;

NJ SB2121

Administering the public employees retirement system.

NJ A00568

Prohibits employers from using the federal electronic employment verification system to check the employment authorization status of an existing employee or an applicant who has not been offered employment and prohibits municipalities from requiring employers to use the federal electronic employment verification system.

NJ S01802

Prohibits employers from using the federal electronic employment verification system to check the employment authorization status of an existing employee or an applicant who has not been offered employment and prohibits municipalities from requiring employers to use the federal electronic employment verification system.

NJ A03584

Prohibits employers from using the federal electronic employment verification system to check the employment authorization status of an existing employee or an applicant who has not been offered employment and prohibits municipalities from requiring employers to use the federal electronic employment verification system.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.