On Oct. 1, 2025, Governor Murphy signed the following bill into law:
TPAF Reenrollment Changes A-1675/S-2078 (P.L.2025, c.147) extends the length of time a member of the teachers’ pension system (Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund, or TPAF) can discontinue their service and still maintain their membership in the system. Under existing law, membership in the TPAF ceases if an individual discontinued service for more than two years. This law extends that period of discontinuation to 10 years. The law also extends the length of time a member who left service for certain qualifying reasons (e.g., due to a reduction in force) may return to service, and includes, among the qualifying reasons, those who voluntarily left service with 10 or more years of service credit. Under existing law, membership in the TPAF continues if such a member returned to service within a period of 10 years from the date of discontinuation from service. This new law extends that period of discontinuation to 15 years. Members who return to service under the terms of this law (including those who have already returned to service prior to the law’s effective date) would be placed in the member’s pension tier at the time of their original termination of service.
The legislation will have no direct impact on school district finances, as the state pays the employer share of TPAF costs on behalf of boards of education. The law explicitly states that there will be no additional contributions imposed on the re-enrolled member or the member’s employer.
The NJSBA is monitoring the bill.
To view the full text of any of the bills summarized above, please visit the New Jersey Legislature’s website.
