Division of Veterans Programs
William J. Devereaux, Director

New Jersey State Medals

The New Jersey World Distinguished Service Medal was originally issued in 1858 for those who had distinguished themselves in the New Jersey Militia; but was infrequently used until re-authorized by Governor Kean in 1988. The New Jersey Vietnam Service Medal was approved November 13, 2000. The Legislature declared the year 1998 as the 25th Anniversary of the United States, North Vietnam, South Vietnam and the National Liberation Front’s provisional revolutionary government signing an agreement to end the war in Vietnam in 1973. There were 1,515 soldiers killed from New Jersey. The New Jersey Meritorious Service Medal is awarded to those combat veterans who were not residents of New Jersey when they entered the military service, but who are current residents of New Jersey and have resided in the state for the previous five years. The New Jersey Korean Service Medal was approved February 3, 2003. The Legislature declared July 27, 2003 to mark the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the armistices, which ended the Korean War. This war resulted in 33,742 killed and 92,134 Americans wounded.

Civil Service Benefits

Veterans Preference War period veterans who pass state civil service examinations are given absolute preference over non-veterans when applying for state, county and municipal employment. Absolute preference is not extended to promotions, but if a veteran ranks highest on a promotional certification, a non-veteran cannot be offered the appointment before the veteran. Spouses, widows, widowers and the parents of disabled or deceased veterans are eligible under specific circumstances.

Veterans Pension Plans A veteran retirement is available to qualified veterans who remain in active employment until the effective date of retirement. Benefits cannot be deferred. Veterans who continue in employment covered by Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) until at least age 60 with 20 or more years of service credit are entitled to an annual benefit equal to one-half of the salary on which pension contributions were made in any consecutive 12-month period, which would provide the largest possible benefit. Veterans at least age 55 with 35 or more years of service credit are entitled to an annual allowance based on Years of Service times (x) the last 12-months salary equals Maximum Annual Allowance. Veteran members may retire on the same basis as non-veteran members if it would result in a higher benefit.

New Jersey Property Tax Benefits

There is an annual property deduction of $250 dollars. This property tax exemption and deduction require veterans to serve during a specific wartime period, however Haiti service is not included as a war time period. The veteran must have received an honorable discharge or under honorable conditions and must be rated 100 percent permanent service-connected by the VA to receive the exemption. The 100 percent rating cannot be temporary or as a result of hospitalization, surgery or recuperation. The dwelling house is the primary legal residence. The deduction applies to cooperatives while the exemption includes condominiums. The veteran or surviving spouse must own and occupy the house. For surviving spouse there is NO remarriage. If the marriage is terminated by death or divorce, the spouse is no longer entitled. However, if the marriage is annulled, the surviving spouse regains eligibility. An exemption shall be received if the veteran previously received the exemption prior to death or if a veteran would have been found eligible if an application had been filed. If a veteran is found to be 100 percent permanent VA service-connected, but died of that service connected disability the spouse is eligible for the deduction, or if a veteran died in active service during wartime in any branch. For multiple family buildings, the exemption is only granted for the portion actually occupied by the veteran or surviving spouse. Seasonal or temporary residence in the state is not considered being a resident and any absence from the state for a period of 12-months shall be sufficient evidence of abandonment of domicile.