Member Benefits Online System

MBOS Retired User's Information Guide
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MBOS Registration Information and Video Presentation

This page is for MBOS users who are retirees.
If you are an employee please view the MBOS User's Information Guide

PART I - Welcome to the Member Benefits Online System (MBOS)

The Member Benefits Online System (MBOS) is a set of Internet based applications that allow registered retirees and benefit recipients access to their pension and, if applicable, health benefit account information. The Division of Pensions and Benefits has designed MBOS to be both fast and easy to use. Once you begin to use MBOS, we believe you will find it to be one of your most useful resources for getting accurate, up-to-date information about your pension and health benefits.

For more information about becoming a registered user of MBOS, see the MBOS Registration Information page.

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The MBOS Retiree Home Page

When you first sign onto MBOS you are taken to your MBOS Retiree Home Page.

Note: If you have more than one pension account registered with MBOS, you will be presented a screen to select the account you wish to view.

The MBOS Home Page displays your information as a retired member, including the current e-mail, mailing address, and phone number on file with the Division of Pensions and Benefits. If any of this information is incorrect, see the detailed instructions provided below on how to submit changes.

A Message Board area is included for news and updates of interest to retirees.

Also on the MBOS Home Page is the "Retired Account Applications" area.

Here you will find buttons for calling up the various online retiree applications. These applications provide information about your pension account and link you to online application forms. Additional information about using these applications is provided in the sections below. Note: 1. New applications (online forms, etc.) will be added as programming is completed. 2. Access to MBOS applications is based upon the type of retirement or benefit payment in combination with the benefits provided under your former employer. Therefore, not all applications are available to all retirees.

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MBOS Support

If, after reading the information in this User's Guide, you still have questions about or difficulty accessing or using MBOS, registered users may contact the Division's MBOS Help Desk at (609) 777-0534 or send e-mail to: pensions.nj@treas.state.nj.us.

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PART II - MBOS Retiree Applications

Navigating Between Applications

All of MBOS's Retiree Applications contain navigation buttons at the top of the page that allow you to:

• Return to the MBOS Home Page to access other MBOS applications. You should always use the "Home" button (instead of the browser's "Back" buttons) to return to the MBOS Home Page.
  
  
• Logout of MBOS and end the session. It is important that when you are finished with your MBOS session, be sure to always log out of MBOS to prevent unauthorized access to your account information.

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Retiree Change of Address or E-Mail

The MBOS Home Page displays your information as a retired member, including the current mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address on file with the Division of Pensions and Benefits.

If any of this information is incorrect, click on the highlighted text and a page will open where you can submit changes.

Address and Phone Number Changes

Click on the highlighted address or phone number to open the Change of Address page.

The Change of Address page displays the current address and provides fields where you can enter changes.

Enter your new address and/or telephone information. Then click the "Submit" button.

You will be shown a confirmation page verifying the change.

Click the "Home" button at the top of the page to return to the Home page.

E-Mail Address Changes

Click on the highlighted e-mail address to open the E-mail change page.

The page displays the current e-mail address and provides fields where you can enter the new address.

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Enter your new e-mail address, then click the "Submit" button.

Click the "Home" button at the top of the page to return to the Home page and the new e-mail address will be displayed. A confirmation e-mail is also sent for verification purposes to the old and new e-mail addresses.

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Retired Account Information

The Retiree Account Information application allows you to view information about your personal retirement account.

To access to the application, click the "Retired Account Information" button on the MBOS Home Page.

The page that appears will show your current account information.

The first section contains member information and information about your date and type of retirement.

The second section contains allowance and deduction information about your current retirement payment.

The third section contains information about other pension related information, including Direct Deposit status, Cost-of-Living Adjustment information, and - if applicable - Health Benefits information and Pension Loan repayment status.

At the top of the Retired Account Information page is a link to a "printable version." where you can print a copy of this information to keep for your records.

Click on the "Home" button at the top of the page to exit the application and return to the MBOS Retiree Home Page.

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Retirement Check Information

The second section of the Retired account Information page contains allowance and deduction information about your current retirement payment.

Also provided is a drop-down box where you can select other check dates for viewing.

To see the information about another check date, select that date from the drop-down list. A page will open with allowance and deduction information about that check date.

When you are done, click the "Return" button to exit and go back to the Retired Account Information page.

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Electronic Funds Transfer (Direct Deposit)

The Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) application allows you to start, change, or stop an EFT or direct deposit of your monthly pension payment.

To access the application, click the "Electronic Funds Transfer" button on the MBOS Home Page.

• If you do not have Electronic Funds Transfer currently in effect, the page that appears will ask if you wish to begin a new EFT Authorization. Click the "New EFT Authorization" button to begin the process.

• If an existing Electronic Funds Transfer is currently in place, the page that appears will ask if you wish to "Update" or "Terminate" your EFT. (Note: Terminating an EFT will end the transfer or direct deposit of your payment without changing bank accounts, and you will be mailed a paper check. See below.)

If you select a "New EFT" or wish to "Update" your current EFT information, a page will open with form fields and detailed instructions on how to enter your bank information.

Please check that the requested information is correct and click the "Continue" button.

A Summary page will follow that displays the bank and account information.

To make any corrections, click the "Back" button.

Otherwise, click the "Submit" button to complete processing of your EFT request. A final confirmation page will be shown.

If you wish to terminate an existing EFT, click the "Terminate" button. (Note: Terminating an EFT will end the transfer or direct deposit without changing bank accounts, and you will be mailed a paper check).

A Summary page will display the EFT termination request.

To cancel or make changes, click the "Back" button.

Otherwise, click the "Submit" button to complete processing of your EFT Termination request. A final confirmation page will be shown and your monthly pension payment will be sent as a paper check.

When you are finished, click on the "Home" button at the top of the page to exit the application and return to the MBOS Home Page.

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Income Tax Withholding (Form W-4P)

The Income Tax Withholding application allows you to start, change, or stop Federal and/or New Jersey State Income tax withholding from your monthly pension payment by submitting a federal Form W-4P (go to details) or State Form NJW-4P (go to details).

To access the application, click the "Income Tax Withholding" button on the MBOS Home Page.

• The page that appears will show a three year history of any retiree account Federal and New Jersey State withholding.
  
  
• A link to Fact Sheet #12, Taxation of Retirement Benefits, is also available to provide additional tax information.

To change your withholding, click the button for either the "Federal W-4P" or the "New Jersey State W-4P."

Please note: If you live outside New Jersey, you are not required to pay New Jersey income tax on the pension you receive from the retirement system. The Division of Pensions and Benefits does not withhold income tax for other states. Check with your home state's tax office to determine if your pension is taxable in your state of residence.

Federal Form W-4P

To access the federal Form W-4P, click the "Federal W-4P" button.

The page that appears will show your current federal income tax withholding status.

• Note: IRS regulations require a default withholding status from all new retirement accounts of "Married with 3 allowances" unless/until you change your federal withholding by submitting a Form W-4P.

To STOP all federal tax withholding, select the check box to "Stop withholding all federal income tax."

A selection list will appear where you must choose a retirement check date to end withholding.

After you have selected your check date, click the "View Summary of Changes" button.

You will be shown a Summary Page on your changes. Click the "Submit W-4P Form " button to complete the process and view a Confirmation Page for this change.

To CHANGE your federal tax withholding amounts, select the check box to "Calculate federal income tax withholding...."

Selection boxes will appear where you must indicate your Marital Status for tax purposes, the Number of Allowances/Dependents, any Additional Dollar Amount you wish withheld (monthly) for Federal income tax withholding, and an effective date for the retirement check when you want the changes to take effect.

When all of the withholding information has been entered, click the "Calculate" button and you will be able to see the total monthly amount to be withheld for federal income tax.

• If you wish to further change the federal withholding amount. you can re-enter information in the fields and re-click the "Calculate" button until you are satisfied with the result.
  
  
• If you are satisfied with the new withholding calculation. click the "View Summary of Changes" button.

The "Federal W-4P Monthly Withholding Summary" page will open. Please check that the information shown is what you wish withheld monthly for federal income tax.

• If you wish to make changes, click the "Make Additional Changes" button.
  
  
• If the information is correct, click the "Submit W-4P Form" button to complete the process.

You will be shown a Confirmation Page that contains a final summary of your selections.

A link to a "Printable Version" is on the page. Please print a copy of the final information for your records.

There is also a link to go to the New Jersey State Form NJW-4P if you wish to make changes to your New Jersey State income tax withholding.

Otherwise click on the "Home" button at the top of the page to exit the application and return to the MBOS Retiree Home Page.

New Jersey State Form NJW-4P

To access the New Jersey State Form NJW-4P, click the "New Jersey State W-4P" button.

The page that appears will show your current New Jersey State income tax withholding status.

Please note:
• You may not owe New Jersey State income tax on your pension until the total of accumulated pension received is equal to the total amount of pension contributions you made while employed. See Fact Sheet #12, Taxation of Retirement Benefits, or contact the N.J. Division of Taxation for more information.
  
  
• If you live outside New Jersey, you are not required to pay New Jersey income tax on the pension you receive from the retirement system. The Division of Pensions and Benefits does not withhold income tax for other states. Check with your home state's tax office to determine if your pension is taxable in your state of residence.

On the NJW-4P Page, indicate by clicking the appropriate check box whether you wish to:

• Stop all New Jersey State income tax withholding; or
  
  
• Change the withholding amount. (Note: Withholding amounts for New Jersey state income tax must be in $10 increments and listed as whole dollars - no cents.)
  
  
• You must indicate the effective date for any action by selecting a retirement check date from the drop-down list.

After you have made your selections, click the "View Summary of Changes" button.

You will be shown a Summary Page on your changes. Please check that the information shown is correct.

• If you wish to make changes, click the "Make Additional Changes" button.
  
  
• If the information is correct, click the "Submit W-4P Form" button to complete the process.

You will be shown a Confirmation Page that contains a final summary of your selections.

A link to a "Printable Version" is on the page. Please print a copy of the final information for your records.

There is also a link to go to the federal Form W-4P if you wish to make changes to your federal income tax withholding.

Otherwise click on the "Home" button at the top of the page to exit the application and return to the MBOS Retiree Home Page.

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Health Benefits Program Information (If applicable)

The Health Benefits Program application allows you to view health benefit account information for you and your enrolled dependents.

To access the application, click the "State Health Benefits Program" button on the MBOS Home Page.

Note: Until future programming changes can be completed, State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) headings will display on MBOS for both SHBP members and members of the new School Employees’ Health Benefits Program (SEHBP).

From the "Subscriber/Eligibility" page, select your account by clicking on the "Employer ID" number.

The page that appears will show your Eligibility Summary, Coverage Information, and Dependent Information.

Retiree Accounts

On the Retiree Eligibility Summary, the following information will appear:

To access additional retiree detail, click the "Retiree Information" button when it appears at the top right of the Retiree Eligibility Summary screen.

The following information will appear:

Click here for information about retiree bills.

To return to the Retiree Eligibility Summary screen, hit the "Back to Subscriber Information" button at the bottom of the Retiree Information screen.

Coverage History

To view the history of your SHBP account, click the link "Click here to view coverage history".

The following information will appear:

Clicking the "Next" button will show additional pages of coverage history.

To return to the Retiree Eligibility Summary screen, hit the "Back to Subscriber Information" button at the bottom of the Previous Coverage Information page.

To view details about a dependent's coverage, click on the linked name of a covered dependent.

Information about the dependent's coverage will appear:

Click the "Next" button to view additional Dependent Detail.

To return to the Eligibility Summary screen, hit the "Back to Subscriber Information" button at the bottom of the Dependent Detail screen.

COBRA Accounts

To access COBRA information (if available), hit the "COBRA Account" button when it appears at the top right side of the Eligibility Summary screen.

The following information will appear:

To access additional COBRA detail, click the "COBRA Information" button when it appears at the top right of the COBRA Eligibility Summary screen.

The following information will appear:

Click here for information about COBRA bills.

To return to the Eligibility Summary screen, hit the "Back to Subscriber Information" button at the bottom of the COBRA screen.

SHBP Billing Information (For retirees and COBRA enrollees) To view information about your SHBP bill, click on one of the links under "Plan Type."   The following information will appear showing the current bill status for that plan:

Use the drop down list to select a specific Billing Period.

If there is a link in the "Type" column, clicking it will show you additional billing details.

To return to the Eligibility Summary screen, hit the "Back to Subscriber Information" button at the bottom of the Service Provider screen.

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PART III - Questions or Comments About MBOS

The Division of Pensions and Benefits wants MBOS to be a tool that its members find useful and choose to use in their career and financial planning. We have made every effort to make MBOS powerful while also keeping it easy to use. We would like to hear about how you liked using MBOS and welcome your suggestions on how MBOS could be made better for the way you work. We will try - based on the response we receive - to include the features you would like to see in future versions of MBOS. Send your questions, comments, and suggestions to the Division's MBOS development staff at: pensions.nj@treas.state.nj.us or you can call the MBOS Help Desk at (609) 777-0534.

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