SENATE, No. 794

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 15, 1996

By Senator KOSCO

An Act concerning State-paid health benefits for certain retirees of the Public Employees' Retirement System and supplementing P.L.1961, c.49 (C.52:14-17.25 et seq.).

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

    1. From funds appropriated therefor, the State shall pay the premium or periodic charges for the benefits provided to a retired State employee and the dependents of the employee covered under the program, but not including survivors, if, at the time the premiums or charges are paid, the employee is not less than 65 years of age and is a veteran who retired from the Public Employees' Retirement System, P.L.1954, c.84 (C.43:15A-1 et seq.) on a benefit based on 20 or more years of service credited in the retirement system, excepting the employee who elected deferred retirement, and shall also reimburse the retired employee for the employee's premium charges under Part B of the federal medicare program covering the retired employee and the employee's spouse.

    2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall be retroactive to January 1, 1996 and apply to State employees who retire on or after that date.

STATEMENT

    This bill provides State-paid health benefits under the State Health Benefits Program for a retired State employee and the dependents of the employee covered under the program, but not including survivors, if at the time the premiums or charges are paid the employee is at least 65 years old and is a veteran who retired from the Public Employees' Retirement System on a benefit based on 20 or more years of service credited in the retirement system.

Provides State-paid health benefits for certain retirees of PERS.