New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 17 - TREASURY - GENERAL
Chapter 2 - PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM
Subchapter 1A - DEFINITIONS
Section 17:2-1A.1 - Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Base salary" means the annual compensation of a member, plus the value of maintenance, if applicable, in accordance with contracts, ordinances, resolutions, or other established salary policies of the member's employer for all employees in the same position, or all employees covered by the same collective bargaining agreement, which is paid in regular, periodic installments in accordance with the payroll cycle of the employer.

"Board" means the Board of Trustees of the Public Employees' Retirement System, vested with the general responsibility for the proper operation of the System pursuant to 43:15A-17.

"Break in service" means any pension reporting period without pay, a monthly or biweekly pay period, as appropriate to the employer's reporting method, with the exception of approved leaves of absence, lay-off, abolishment of position, military leave, Workers' Compensation, litigation, or suspension.

"DCRP" means the Defined Contribution Retirement Program.

"Division" means the Division of Pensions and Benefits, Department of the Treasury, in the State of New Jersey.

"Employers Pensions and Benefits Information Connection" or "EPIC" is a set of Internet-based applications that allow registered employers who have obtained authorization by the certifying officer of the location access to manage their employees' pensions and, if applicable, health benefits account information. The specific group of application buttons that are visible will depend on the type of employer and the level of access authorized by the certifying officer of the location.

"Extra compensation" means individual salary adjustments, which are granted primarily in anticipation of a member's retirement; or as additional remuneration (pay) for performing temporary duties beyond the regular work day or work year.

"Final compensation" means the average annual compensation for which contributions are made for the three years of creditable service in New Jersey immediately preceding the member's retirement or death, or it shall mean the average annual compensation for New Jersey service for which contributions are made during any three fiscal years of his or her membership providing the largest possible benefit to the member or the member's beneficiary, for PERS members enrolled before May 21, 2010. In the case of a person who becomes a member of the PERS on or after May 21, 2010, the effective date of P.L. 2010, c. 1, "final compensation" means the average annual compensation for which contributions are made for the five years of creditable service in New Jersey immediately preceding the member's retirement or death, or it shall mean the average annual compensation for New Jersey service for which contributions are made during any five fiscal years of his or her membership providing the largest possible benefit to the member or the member's beneficiary.

"Full cost purchase" means a purchase of service credit for which the member assumes the entire cost of the purchase.

"Independent medical examiner" or "IME" means the physician or group of physicians contracted by the Division to perform an independent medical evaluation on disability retirement applicants.

"Member Benefits Online System" or "MBOS" is a set of Internet-based applications that allow registered members access to manage their pension and, if applicable, health benefits account information.

"Medical Review Board" or "MRB" consists of three physicians, each responsible for reviewing all medical documentation submitted in relation to any applications submitted for ordinary or accidental disability retirement.

"Shared cost purchase" means a purchase of service credit for which the member and employer share the cost of the purchase equally.

"System" or "PERS" means the Public Employees' Retirement System, created pursuant to N.J.S.A. 43:15A-1 et seq.

"Treating physician" is defined as someone who provides the member, or has provided the member, with medical treatment on an ongoing basis.

"TPAF" means the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund, created pursuant to 18A:66-56.

"Work year" means either a 10-month contracted employee who works from September through June of each year and is compensated for each month or a 12-month contracted employee who works throughout the year and is compensated for each month.