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The following are the required steps that new public employers must take to be included under the ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½app — Social Security Administration Agreement, and ultimately to become a participating employer in our retirement systems.

1. The new public entity must submit a resolution from the governing body or board to the Division, which states that the employer will guarantee the remittance of the employer's share for Social Security coverage and the pension contributions. A copy of the statute or ordinance that created or authorized the creation of the entity must accompany the resolution.
2. The new public entity must provide a statement which includes:
   • The Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS.
   • The effective date requested for Social Security coverage (usually the date of the employer's first hire).
   • The number of employees to be covered.
   • The name, address, phone number, fax number, e-mail address and title of the person who will be the Division's contact (usually the Certifying Officer).
   • Statutes or law authorizing the changes of the entity
3. After the required information is received, the Division executes a formal modification to extend Social Security coverage under Section 218 of the State's Social Security coverage agreement. The Social Security review process will take at least 6 months.
4. The Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare approves the modification. This process may take two or more months.
5. Once the Division receives notice of the successful modification, a copy of the modification is sent to the contact person. Copies of the modification are also sent to the Enrollment Bureau, the State Health Benefits Bureau and the Employer Education Unit of the Client Services Bureau within the Division.

Because there are many steps involved in the approval process, several of which are outside the purview of the NJDPB, the process may take several months to complete. During that time, eligible employees of the new employer must wait to be enrolled. Once the approval process is complete, the employer will receive certifications to withhold back deductions of pension contributions for each eligible employee retroactive to their eligibility date.

The NJDPB does not promote the withholding of pension contributions from employees before a certification is issued and cannot accept pension contributions withheld by the employer in an effort to avoid a hardship resulting from back deductions.

Members of the PFRS may be eligible for a homeowner's mortgage under the PFRS Mortgage Loan Program. To qualify, a member must be actively employed in a PFRS-eligible title, with at least one year of creditable service. Funding for this program is provided by the PFRS, but it is administered by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA). The PFRS Mortgage Loan Program is administered through private area lenders approved by the NJHMFA.

Details about the PFRS Mortgage Loan Program include:

• The mortgage interest rate is set twice a year, in February and August. The current rate is available by calling 1-800-NJ HOUSE. Rate is based on the 10-year Treasury bill plus one percent (there are additional fees. Please visit the NJHMFA website, , for more details about the fees involved);
• 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages;
• Available with zero points;
• Available for new or existing one- or two-family residences and condominium units in New Jersey;
• Also available for vacant land, provided there is a contract to construct a one- or two-family dwelling;
• A member does not have to be a first-time homebuyer;
• Mortgages can no longer be used for refinancing;
• No second mortgages are permitted;
• Homeowners must occupy the home as their principal residence within 120 days of closing, and the homeowner must remain in the residence for the life of the loan; and
• These mortgages are available through area lenders that participate in the program.

For more information, including a listing of participating area lenders, members can call the NJHMFA hotline at 1-800-NJ-HOUSE; or members can visit the NJHMFA website at

If a member is interested in applying for a mortgage under this program, they should be sure to read the NOTICE TO APPLICANTS on the NJHMFA website concerning mortgages issued under this program and taxable distributions.

Note: The Long Term Care Insurance Plan was closed to new members as of August 1, 2012. The program is only available for members enrolled prior to this date who continue to pay required premiums.

Payment of Premiums

In the case of most active State employees and employees of the State's colleges and universities, the employer deducts the premiums from the employee's paycheck. Employees are only permitted to authorize payroll deductions for themselves and their spouses. All other enrolled individuals are offered direct home billing arrangements.

Information for members enrolled prior to the closing to the program should click here for details: The NJDPB Long Term Care Information Page

The New Jersey State Employees Commuter Tax Saving Program (Commuter Tax$ave) is a benefit program authorized by P.L. 2001, c. 162 (Chapter 162) and available under Section 132(f) of the federal Internal Revenue Code.

See the Commuter Tax$ave Program Fact Sheet for more information, including current salary deduction limits. Additional information for members can be found here.