NJ A6127

Creates a new Emergency Services Part within the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) providing enhanced pension and death benefits equivalent to those available to law enforcement officers under the LEO Part of PERS

Covers permanent full-time employees including emergency medical technicians, paramedics, public safety telecommunicators/dispatchers, 911 operators, fire inspectors, county fire marshals, and firefighters who don't meet age or medical requirements for the Police and Firemen's Retirement System

Allows service retirement at age 55 with 20 years of creditable service, with mandatory retirement at age 65 (or age 70 for veterans with less than 20 years of service)

Provides retirement benefit of 2% of final compensation per year of service up to 25 years, plus 1% per year over 25 years, with a supplementary 5% "special" retirement allowance for those with 25+ years (capped at 70% of final compensation)

Current PERS members in eligible positions must be enrolled within 120 days of the effective date unless they file a waiver within 60 days; the unfunded liability will be amortized over 30 years with no state liability for increased local government pension costs