ASSEMBLY STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 4831

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JANUARY 5, 2026

      The Assembly State and Local Government Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 4831.

     As amended by the committee, this bill extends the provision of current law that 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, as amended, the term of the return to employment is extended to seven years from four years.  A retired member who returned to employment under the current law is permitted to extend the return to employment to seven years from the date of return.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

     The committee amended the bill to remove language which would have extended the program indefinitely.  Instead, the amendments extend the term of the return to employment to seven years from four years.  Under the amendments, a retired member who returned to employment under the current law is permitted to extend the  return to employment to seven years from the date of return.