Husband / Wife — This is a person to whom you are legally married. A photocopy of the Marriage Certificate is required for verification at the time of retirement or upon the member's death.
Civil Union Partner — This is a person of the same sex with whom you had entered into a civil union. A photocopy of the New Jersey Civil Union Certificate or a valid certification from another jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex civil unions is required for verification at the time of retirement or upon the member's death.
Domestic Partner — This is a person of the same sex with whom you had entered into a domestic partnership. A photocopy of the New Jersey Certificate of Domestic Partnership dated prior to February 19, 2007 or a valid certification from another jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex domestic partners is required for verification at the time of retirement or upon the member's death.
| Note: For PFRS, SPRS, or JRS members, eligibility for survivor pension benefits to a same-sex domestic partner is defined under Chapter 246, P.L. 2003, the Domestic Partnership Act, as the domestic partner of any State employee, State retiree, or an eligible employee or retiree of a local public entity if the local governing body adopts a resolution to provide Chapter 246 pension benefits. |
Estate — You may choose to name your estate as your beneficiary. If you name your estate, the Division will require a certified Surrogate Certificate issued from the court at the time of the member's death in order to release payment.
| Note: If you do not have a named beneficiary on file with the Division of Pensions and Benefits, or if your named beneficiary(ies) have predeceased you, your estate will be paid by default. |
Trust, Organization, Charity or Corporation — This is designating any person who is not your husband, wife, civil union partner, or domestic partner; however, if you have Power of Attorney, or are naming more than ten beneficiaries for each benefit type, you must use the paper version of the Designation of Beneficiary form. |
