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Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way

Division of Pensions & Benefits

Online Guide to Retirement

Retirement is a big step in life. This guide will help you get information and make informed decisions about your retirement. Please select the topic below to get more information.

There are different types of retirement that you may qualify for depending on your age and the years and months of service credit you have in your retirement system account.

The age requirements and benefit calculations vary with your "Membership Tier," based on the date you were enrolled in the retirement system. (Members of the JRS are not subject to membership tiers.)

View Retirement Types, Eligibility, and Calculations in our Video Library.

PERS/TPAF

Retirement – How to Apply for PERS and TPAF members

Deferred Retirement

PFRS

Retirement – How to Apply for PFRS members

Deferred Retirement

SPRS

Retirement – How to Apply for SPRS members

Deferred Retirement

JRS

JRS Member Guidebook

Ordinary Disability and Accidental Disability Retirement are available to certain members who are totally and permanently disabled from performing their normal or any assigned job duties.

The eligibility requirements and benefits for disability retirements are very different from other types of retirement.

PERS/TPAF

Disability Retirement Benefits

Long-Term Disability for PERS and TPAF Tiers 4 and 5

PFRS

Disability Retirement Benefits

SPRS

Disability Retirement Benefits

JRS

JRS Member Guidebook

The PFRS, SPRS, and JRS allow for a continued pension benefit to a survivor.

PERS and TPAF members can choose from a number of different "Pension Options" that allow you to leave a life-time survivor benefit to a beneficiary after your death. JRS members also have these additional options.

View Exploring Pension Options in our Video Library.

PERS/TPAF

Retirement – PERS and TPAF Pension Options

PFRS

Police and Firemen's Retirement System Member Guidebook

SPRS

State Police Retirement System Death Benefits

JRS

JRS Survivor Benefits and Pension Options

Retirement estimates show how much your gross monthly retirement benefit will be. The estimate can also include the amount for a survivor benefit after your death, your group life insurance benefit after retirement, and other important information about your retirement benefits.

PERS and TPAF

Members can get a retirement estimate online using the Member Benefits Online System (MBOS). Estimates use the service and salary information currently posted to your account if you are within two years of your retirement date.  

If you are more than two years from retiring, you can get an estimate via MBOS for up to 10 years in the future based on the salary and service credit information you provide, which will not access any of the salary or service information maintained by the Division of Pensions & Benefits. You should not apply for retirement based on this estimate. The calculator is provided as a convenience to our members and is intended only for use in long-range retirement planning.

You may also refer to our Calculating Your Own Retirement Allowance  Fact Sheet.

PFRS

Members can get a retirement estimate online using the Member Benefits Online System (MBOS). Estimates use the service and salary information currently posted to your account if you are within two years of your retirement date.  

If you are more than two years from retiring, please use the Police and Firemen's Retirement System Calculator  You should not apply for retirement based on this estimate. The calculator is provided as a convenience to our members and is intended only for use in long-range retirement planning.

SPRS

Call your Human Resources Office for retirement estimates.

JRS

Call 609-690-4859 for retirement estimates.

Retirement seminars and webinars take a step-by-step approach to the retirement process and what happens after you submit your application. Trained counselors explain your benefits, beneficiary options, group life insurance, loan repayments, pension income taxes, and health benefits coverage in retirement. Seminars usually conclude with a question and answer period.

PERS/TPAF

Register for retirement seminars and webinars.

PFRS

Register for retirement seminars and webinars.

SPRS

Seminars/webinars are not available for SPRS members.

JRS

Seminars/webinars are not available for JRS members.

Your pension benefit is based partly on the amount of service credit posted to your retirement system account, so purchasing additional service credit — if you are eligible — may increase your pension amount or let you retire sooner.

PERS, TPAF, PFRS, SPRS

Purchasing Service Credit

JRS

JRS Guidebook

For most retirees, the group life insurance benefit becomes much smaller when you retire. You have the option to convert the smaller amount to an individual policy — without the need for a medical exam.

PERS/TPAF

Conversion of Group Life Insurance

Public Employees' Retirement System Member Guidebook

Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund Member Guidebook

PFRS

Conversion of Group Life Insurance

Police and Firemen's Retirement System Member Guidebook

SPRS

SPRS Member Guidebook

Conversion of Group Life Insurance

JRS

JRS Member Guidebook

Conversion of Group Life Insurance

Some retirees will qualify for health coverage under the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) or the School Employees’ Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) when they retire.

For retirees who meet service credit or other requirements, the State or employer pays some or all of the cost of the SHBP/SEHBP coverage.

Retirees who do not qualify for State-paid or employer-paid coverage may still be eligible for coverage, but have to pay the full cost.

PERS/TPAF

Health Benefits Coverage – Enrolling as a Retiree

Dental Plans – Retirees

Health Benefits Retired Coverage Under Chapter 330 For PERS Law Enforcement Officers

PFRS

Health Benefits Coverage – Enrolling as a Retiree

Dental Plans – Retirees

Health Benefits Coverage Under Chapter 330

SPRS

Health Benefits Coverage – Enrolling as a Retiree

Dental Plans – Retirees

JRS

Health Benefits Coverage – Enrolling as a Retiree

Dental Plans – Retirees

Pension checks are subject to federal income tax (except for Accidental Disability Retirement). However, if you paid tax on any of your contributions to the retirement system, that portion of your monthly check is not taxable.

If you live in New Jersey, your retirement benefit is not subject to New Jersey State income tax until you get back through pension checks the same amount you paid into the pension system while working.

If you live outside of New Jersey, check with your home state's tax office to find out if your pension is taxable in the state you live.

View Possible Retirement Check Deductions in our Video Library.

PERS/TPAF, PFRS, SPRS, JRS

Taxation of Retirement Benefits Fact Sheet

Other than federal and State income tax, there are only a few other deductions that might apply to your monthly pension check. These include:

  • Health benefits premiums - Any full or shared cost for SHBP/SEHBP medical, prescription drug, or retiree dental coverage;
  • Pension loans - If you retire with a loan balance, you can repay the outstanding loan before you retire or repay the loan including interest through deductions from your retirement check; Payments will be about the same monthly amount deducted from your pay immediately before retirement;
  • Tax liens - Liens imposed by the federal Internal Revenue Service; and
  • Court orders - Qualified Domestic Relation Orders (QDRO) granting alimony for divorce/civil union dissolution, child support, or equitable distribution.

PERS/TPAF, PFRS, SPRS, JRS

Can I Afford to Retire? Worksheet to compare estimates of gross and net retirement income

Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDRO)

View Possible Retirement Check Deductions in our Video Library.

Working for private industry, the federal government, or a government agency in another state will not normally affect your retirement benefits.

However, returning to public employment in New Jersey after retirement may jeopardize your retirement benefits. Retirees should be very careful before accepting any public employment jobs in New Jersey after retirement.

PERS/TPAF, PFRS, SPRS, JRS

Employment After Retirement Restrictions

Apply Now - PERS/TPAF, PFRS, SPRS

Members must submit their retirement application online using MBOS

View Reviewing a Retirement Application in our Video Library.

JRS

JRS Retirement Application

Videos

More videos are available to view in our Video Library

Retirement Types, Eligibility & Calculations

Retired Benefitsolver Guide

Solving MBOS Login Issues Part 1


Last Updated: Tuesday, 04/30/24