PFRS Pension board of Trustees Election

P.L. 2018, c. 55 (Chapter 55), established a new Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS) Board of Trustees which will replace the current PFRS Board of Trustees, effective February 1, 2019. The Board of Trustees has the general responsibility for the operation of the PFRS under the provisions of N.J.S.A. 43:16A-13. The Board meets monthly. Our NJ FMBA endorsed ACTIVE candidate is Matt Lubin from Cranford Local 237. 

NEW BOARD

Three (3) active Police Representatives: One (1) elected by the active members of the system, one (1) appointed by the president of the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association, and one (1) appointed by the President of the New Jersey State Fraternal Order of Police.  Three (3) active Fire Representatives: One (1) elected by the active members of the system, one (1) appointed by the president of the New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association, and one (1) appointed by the President of the Professional Firefighter’s Association of New Jersey. One (1) retiree elected from the retirees of the system. Five (5) Trustees appointed by the Governor. 

BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES

• Render determinations regarding Disability Retirement cases and approve retirements.
• Review appeals pertaining to the disallowance of pension benefits.
• Adopt rules and regulations to (a) provide for the payment of benefits and collection of monies as required by the statute and (b) to prevent injustices and inequities that may arise in the operation of the Retirement System within the limitations of statutes and opinions of the Courts.
• Resolve individual questions on the merits of each case in terms of statutes, advice of the Actuary and cases cited by counsel as deliberated by the Courts.
• View monthly and annual reports setting forth data such as assets and liabilities, income and disbursements and statistical summarization of membership as documented by the Actuary.
• The Board will be responsible for the funding policies of the Board and directing the investments of the funds.
• Transmit hearing requests to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) and review decisions from the OAL.

Chapter 55 provides for three elected positions. One (1) Fire Representative elected by the active fire members of the system; One (1) Police Representative elected by the active police members of the system; and one (1) Retired Representative elected from the retirees of the system.

The process to fill these positions has begun since the terms of these 3 positions begins on February 1, 2019.  However, due to the requirements of Chapter 55, this election is being held on a condensed timeline.