Bill to provide teachers with fairer pension benefits passes committee
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NEW JERSEY – Senator Vince Polistina’s (R-2) legislation to provide teachers with fairer pension benefits has passed the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee this week.
The bill seeks to amend the definition of “compensation” for purposes of the Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) to include additional pay received by teachers for extracurricular duties performed beyond the regular school day or school year.
“Teachers dedicate countless hours outside of the classroom helping their students grow both academically and personally, often serving as faculty advisors for clubs, sports, and other extracurricular activities,” said Polistina. “This legislation would ensure that these additional responsibilities are recognized and fairly compensated when calculating a teacher’s pension.”
Under current law, the additional stipends earned by educators for extracurricular work are not included in their pension calculations.
Senator Polistina’s bill, S-3713, would rectify this by guaranteeing that educators’ hard-earned pay for after school duties count towards their retirement benefits, so they receive the meaningful compensation they have earned over the course of their careers.
“By advancing this legislation, we’re sending a clear message that New Jersey values the hard work and commitment of our educators,” said Polistina.
