SENATE STATE GOVERNMENT, WAGERING, TOURISM & HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 4831

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 1, 2025

      The Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 4831.

This bill permanently extends the provisions of P.L.2021, c.498 which permits a retired member of the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) to return to employment with the Legislature under certain circumstances.

     Under current law, a retired member of the PERS who was employed with the Legislature and who was granted a retirement allowance prior to or on January 18, 2021, or during calendar years 2022, 2023, or 2024, for any cause other than disability, may return to employment with the Legislature, without cancellation of the retirement and reenrollment in the PERS, for a term of not more than four years. This return is permitted if:

     (1) the return commences no less than 30 days after the retirement allowance becomes due and payable;

     (2) the retired member had attained the service retirement age, applicable to that member, as of the date of retirement; and

     (3) the retired member is re-employed as a part-time employee and works no more than 20 hours per week.

     The retirement has to be a bona fide retirement and any return to employment under this law cannot be prearranged before retirement.  The law does not apply to a former member of the Legislature itself. 

     Under this bill, the current law is amended to permit retired members who had returned to employment with the Legislature pursuant to the current law to extend the term of the return to employment indefinitely.