CHAPTER 332

An Act concerning deductions for payment of certain dental insurance premiums from the retirement allowances or pensions of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund and the Public Employees' Retirement System and amending N.J.S.18A:66-54 and P.L.1954, c.84.

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1.    N.J.S.18A:66-54 is amended to read as follows:

Deductions from retirement allowance for TPAF members.

    18A:66-54. If possible, whenever any beneficiary of the teachers' pension and annuity fund shall, in writing, request the Division of Pensions and Benefits to make deductions from the beneficiary's retirement allowance or pension for the payment of premiums for the pensioners' group health or dental insurance plan or the State Health Benefits Program, the division may make such deductions and transmit the sum so deducted to the companies carrying the policies. Any such written authorization may be withdrawn by any beneficiary upon filing notice of such withdrawal with the division. Deductions for the payment of the premiums for a group dental insurance plan shall be made by the division only if 1,000 or more beneficiaries covered by that plan have made written requests for deductions.

    2.    Section 72 of P.L.1954, c.84 (C.43:15A-72) is amended to read as follows:

C.43:15A-72 Deductions from retirement allowance for PERS members.

    72.  If possible, whenever any beneficiary of the Public Employees' Retirement System of New Jersey shall, in writing, request the Division of Pensions and Benefits to make deductions from the beneficiary's retirement allowance or pension for the payment of premiums for the pensioners' group health or dental insurance plan or the State Health Benefits Program, the division may make such deductions and transmit the sum so deducted to the companies carrying the policies. Any such written authorization may be withdrawn by any beneficiary upon filing notice of such withdrawal with the division. Deductions for the payment of the premiums for a group dental insurance plan shall be made by the division only if 1,000 or more beneficiaries covered by that plan have made written requests for deductions.

    3.    This act shall take effect immediately.

    Approved January 12, 1998.