PLAN NJ

09/25/2026

School districts warn the 34.4% premium hike could mean layoffs and higher property taxes.

07/30/2026

Some encouraging news for New Jersey’s public employees and retirees.

Despite recent market volatility and global uncertainty, New Jersey’s pension fund is reporting an estimated **14% net return through May for Fiscal Year 2026**—well above the fund’s 7% assumed rate of return. If those results held through the end of June, it would mark the **fourth consecutive year** that investment returns exceeded the assumed rate.

There are other positive signs as well: more than **$1 billion in Lottery proceeds** went toward the pension system this year, and the State has once again budgeted for the **full actuarially required pension contribution**.

For those of us who have followed New Jersey’s pension history, these are meaningful signs of progress. Years of underfunding created a problem that will take decades to fully correct, so continued responsible funding and strong investment performance matter.

However, there is another part of this story that should not be overlooked. **Retirees have gone without a cost-of-living adjustment since 2011.** As the financial health of the pension system continues to improve, the conversation about restoring a responsible COLA becomes increasingly important.

This article is worth a read!

Investments may double the targeted rate of return for 2026, defying worries about war in Iran and easing taxpayer pressure

12/22/2025

Learn about how to support our younger teachers by consolidating all tiers into ONE tier, creating equity across the board.

12/22/2025

NJEA Pension Justice for Everyone!
In 2007, New Jersey started to “tier” its pension systems. The most damage was done when Chris Christie and the Legislature created Tier 4 (2010) and Tier 5 (2011). Anyone hired after June 27, 2011 is in Tier 5. As a result, roughly half of all public school employees have far inferior pensions. It's not right nor fair, and it's time for a change. It's time for pension justice.

As an example of the inequity, some Tier 5 employees pay nearly 94% of the cost of their pensions, contributing $15 out of pocket for every $1 the state contributes. By contrast, their colleagues in Tier 1 contribute $1 for every $1 the state contributes. Making matters worse, the “normal retirement age” is extended for Tier 5 employees. Those in PERS who work less than 32 hours a week are forced into a retirement savings account called DCRP instead of a pension. Tier 5 and DCRP are structured to provide no incentive for school employees to remain in education for their entire careers.

HOW TO TAKE ACTION! Contact your representatives in the NJ Assembly and Senate today.

Go to the following link (cut and paste):

https://www.njea.org/pension-justice-for-everyone/ #!

03/02/2025

Bills would collapse five tiers into one, restore pension justice for all.

Following months of member organizing by NJEA members across the state, NJEA’s top-priority pension bills have been introduced in the Assembly and Senate.

03/02/2025

Reynolds-Jackson Introduces Two Bills to Restore Fairness in State Pension Programs...

Yesterday, Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (Mercer/Hunterdon) introduced legislation to establish pension equity for public sector

03/02/2025

Push to Restore cost-of-living adjustments for some state retirees...

New Jersey state lawmakers seek to restore cost-of-living pension adjustments for police and firefighters.

01/11/2025

NJEA wants changes to the State's tiered Pension System.

Pending bill would rewrite changes made to bolster pension fund

10/31/2024

New Jersey Pension Fund's net return of 10.74% for the fiscal year ended June 30 falls just shy of the pension fund benchmark.

09/24/2024

New Jersey's public pension system remains seriously underfunded even as the state increases its contributions to support it.