Clinicial Services

04.10.2010

Eugene M. Stefanelli, Ed.S., Ph.D.

Dr. Stefanelli is Board Certified Diplomate in Psychotherapy and a Licensed therapist. He is a Clinical Member A.A.M.F.T. and preforms Referral Services for Rehabilitation and Mental Health 24/7, On Site Counseling for Individuals & Family Members, Training Seminars (ie: Suicide, Stress, P.T.S.D. etc.) & General Consultation on Mental Health

CONTACT: Office 732-636-8860 24 hour Emergency 732-609-3554 e-mail estef@njspba.com

For emergency only : If you are unable to reach Dr. stefanelli and you need immediate assistance please call Cop To Cop,at 1-866-267-2267.

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Legal Protection (LPP)

04.10.2010

The LPP (Legal Protection Plan) was established in 1993. The plan was specifically designed for the membership of the NJ State PBA. This program provides you protection for legal costs for an annual cost of $132.00.  As of March 1st. 2002 the NJSPBA LPP became self-funded, and there are no more deductibles. The coverage for administrative proceedings is $20,000 per policy period. Coverage under the administrative clause is for any departmental charges or disciplinary action both on or off duty. All criminal and or / civil actions have $40,000 coverage and is for in the line of duty only. You are also provided with $2,500 coverage for target of a criminal investigation.

Membership in the LPP has provided all of its members with financial protection and the opportunity to have the ability to challenge frivolous charges lodged against them.

Members of the plan are entitled to use any attorney of their choice that are enrolled in the plan. Attorneys that are presently on the plan are true specialists in the protection of peace officers in the State of NJ. If you are a member of the plan and the necessity for an expert witness is needed for your defense, you are covered.

Since the inception of the LPP we have had an overwhelming success rate in the defense of law enforcement officers in the State of NJ. The LPP has proven to be an invaluable program for Law Enforcement Officers in the State of NJ. The continued enrollment in the program will surely increase the benefits to all its members.

 

All LPP Documents are now in the "Public Folder" on the INTRAnet. You must be logged in as either the President or Delegate to access them.

View the Attorney List Online - Click Here

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Labor Relations

04.28.2010

 

George F. O'Brien was brought on board as a Labor Relations Consultant to assist local PBA's with their collective bargaining programs, as well as with grievance arbitration research.

George F. O'Brien has completely revised a data bank of collective bargaining agreements to be more user friendly to the locals that request data. Demographical information is available to locals. The information charts comparison listing each municipality
in a given county and comparing its populations, geographic size, crime rate, tax rate, contract, and etc.

Each year George conducts the Collective Bargaining Seminar.

Information Available:
-Grievance Arbitration Research
-Collective Bargaining Programs
-Archives of all Collective Bargaining Agreements.
-Demographic Info.
-Informative Seminar

Appointments and inquiries can be made by calling the following telephone numbers:
State Office (732)636-8860           (732)636-8860       Woodbridge State Office Fax (732)636-0172

E-Mail your questions or comments to George F. O'Brien at labor@njspba.com

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Retirement Services

04.28.2010

 

Regina M Herz is the former Board Secretary to the Trustees of the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System.  Prior to holding that position, she served as the Assistant Director of Client Services in the Division of Pensions and Benefits.  With her 25 years of experience, Regina brings to the New Jersey
State PBA a wealth of information on retirement and health benefit issues. 

Regina conducts regular retirement workshops at the PBA Headquarters in Woodbridge and throughout the State.  The workshops are open to all members and their spouses.  Please consult the website for further details or write pensionhelp@comcast.net.

This is a Free Service provided through the office of the State Policemen's Benevolent Association President for members of the New Jersey State

Policemen's Benevolent Association, Inc. Individual and/or group conferences are provided with advance notice by contacting the State Policemen's Benevolent Association office. (732) 636-8860          (732) 636-8860     

Toll Free 1(888)-465-7722              1(888)-465-7722      

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As part of a program created in 1991, the office of Pension/Benefits Coordinator continues to provide police officers and their families with in-depth assistance in facilitating their decision regarding retiree and survivor benefits.

In addition, these services have expanded considerable, not only in providing information beneficial to members contemplating retirement, but also to PBA members currently retired.

Topics discussed include pre and post member and survivor benefits, Direct Deposits, Federal and State Tax information, Social Security, Medical Benefits and other information to assist members and their families in this very important transition into retirement.

Free Notary Public Services are available at the State Policemen's Benevolent Association office for notarizing retirement applications or other legal documents.

The retirement services nevertheless encompass a major function of the Consultant-Coordinators job. Each member planning to retire is invited down to our office with his/her spouse. (Information to the spouse is vitally important since they are the other main beneficiary in the distribution process.) The retirement conference is designed to give our officers a complete sense of ease and well being as they enter into uncharted waters of retirement. The response to the program over the years has proven it to be unique as well as an enormous success. Our goal of laying the necessary groundwork ensures many years of happy healthful retirement for our members.

At the same time, officers injured in the line of duty are aided in the preparation and filing of paperwork for accidental disability benefits. Officers who become sick or injured off duty are assisted in applying for ordinary disability. Information is provided for use by members retired on accidental disability pensions as to federal and state tax laws that allow for non-taxability of their pension.

Officers in the midst of departmental charges who face suspension, termination, and in some instances, indictment, have been helped and counseled as to their rights and options under laws and how benefits will applied should proceedings end with job dismissal.

Officers faced with terminal illness or any serious illness are assisted in the preparation of paperwork, thus lifting any additional worry from their shoulders.

Spouses and children of deceased officers are assisted in the preparation of forms relating to life insurance, medical insurance, social security information, and pension and contribution benefits.

In addition, federal and state legislation is continuously being monitored and challenged as it affects all of our membership, especially those planning to retire.

Further, it is requested that state delegates contact all retired members in their departments and let them know that we are here to help them with any problems or difficulties they may be encountering in their retirement. Spouses and children of our retired officers are also welcome to assist themselves of these services.

Summary:

The retirement conference is designed to answer a wide variety of questions that affect retiring officers. It is meant to serve as a cost saver - to reduce the need for the individual to engage outside professional services. It is meant to be used as a guide and should not be construed as the "Final Word'" in the foregoing matters. Each individual's needs are distinct and decisions should be made with this in mind. Each potential retiree will receive a booklet containing valuable information pertaining to all benefits that the retiree and/or spouse is entitled through the Division of Pensions. Again, have your members take advantage of this very important Free Service offered by the New Jersey State P.B.A., Inc. through the office of the P.B.A. State President

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Divorce and Your Retirement Benefits


FACT SHEET #42

ENCUMBRANCES ON YOUR PENSION

Although your pension is normally exempt from any liens, the Division of Pensions and Benefits will honor court orders for child support, alimony or equitable distribution.

The New Jersey State retirement systems are not regulated by federal ERISA legislation which authorizes the payment of retirement benefits in accordance with the requirements of a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) issued by a court, generally in connection with the granting of a dissolution of a marriage. Court decisions and opinions rendered by the Attorney General have, however, resulted in the pension systems implementing matrimonial court orders granting alimony,support, or equitable distribution against a member's monthly retirement allowance.

EFFECTIVE ONLY UPON RETIREMENT

Such matrimonial orders cannot take effect until the member retires and begins receiving a monthly retirement allowance. To be implemented by the Division of Pensions and Benefits, the matrimonial order must designate a specific dollar amount, a specific percentage, or a percentage of the benefit the member will receive based on the number of years of service the member accrued while married. The amounts withheld are sent directly to the divorced spouse unless the order specifies another payee such as a probation department.

For members of those retirement systems providing a spousal survivor's benefit (ie., PFRS, SPRS, JRS), a divorce automatically precludes the former spouse from ever receiving a survivors benefit.

WHEN WITHHOLDING CEASES

Upon the death of either the retired member or the divorced spouse, all withholdings mandated under a matrimonial order cease. In those retirement systems that permit a member to select a survivor's benefit option at the time of retirement (ie., PERS, TPAF), court ordered withholding terminates upon the death of the retirant; but, if the divorced spouse is designated the beneficiary under the survivor's option, the surviving divorced spouse is then entitled to the survivors benefit for as long as s/he lives. If another person is designated beneficiary of the survivors benefit, the divorced spouse cannot receive any equitable distributions from the survivor's benefit paid to that other person.

Before a matrimonial order is issued, the text of the order should be sent to the Division of Pensions and Benefits for review and comment.

BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION

The Division of Pensions and Benefits cannot implement or guarantee the implementation of any "irrevocable designation of death benefits or selection of retirement option. Such designation or selection remains the Prerogative of the member.

A member involved in a divorce Proceeding should review his/her beneficiary designations at the time divorce papers are filed and again after the final decree has been issued. Unless the member changes beneficiary designations, the member's last beneficiary designations would be the ones honored. If you are unsure of your beneficiary designations, you may request, in writing, the names of the beneficiaries on file with the Division of Pensions and Benefits. Write to the address below and include your name, social security number

· and signature*. If you wish to change your beneficiary designation, contact the Division of Pensions and Benefits at (609) 777-1 931 [enter 2-4-4 if you are an active pension system member; 1-1 -4 if you area retired TPAF or PERS member; or 1-1-5 if you are a retired PFRS member] to have a new beneficiary designation form sent to you.

'The Division of Pensions and Benefits cannot release the identity of a member's beneficiary without the member's written authorization.

HEALTH INSURANCE FOR FORMER SPOUSES

For loss of health insurance coverage (including dental and prescription drug) due to divorce or legal separation, your former spouse is entitled to continue participation in the State Health Benefits Program under the provisions of COBRA for a period not to exceed 36 months. Under COBRA your former spouse may be covered for health, dental and prescription drug insurance during this 36-months as long as s/he is unable to receive similar coverage on his/her own, through an employer or new spouse, or if she/he has an existing condition not covered by available insurance. The cost of this coverage is borne by the participant and amounts to the full group rate of the benefit, plus an additional 2% administrative charge. You are responsible for notifying your employer within 60 days of a COBRA qualifying event such as divorce or legal separation. If the employee does not inform the employer of the change in dependent status within the 60 days, the employee may forfeit the dependent's right to COBRA coverage.

This fact sheet has been produced by:
Division of Pensions and Benefits