Garden State Times

Senator Vince Polistina's legislation aimed at providing teachers with fairer pension benefits has successfully passed the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee. The bill proposes an amendment to the definition of "compensation" within the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF). This change would include additional pay received by teachers for extracurricular duties performed beyond regular school hours or during the school year.

Senator Polistina highlighted the dedication of teachers who invest time outside classroom hours in various activities that aid student growth. "Teachers dedicate countless hours outside of the classroom helping their students grow both academically and personally, often serving as faculty advisors for clubs, sports, and other extracurricular activities," he stated. He emphasized that this legislation aims to ensure these extra responsibilities are acknowledged when calculating a teacher's pension.

Currently, stipends earned by educators for extracurricular work do not contribute to their pension calculations. Senator Polistina's bill, S-3713, seeks to address this issue by ensuring that pay from after-school duties is considered in retirement benefit calculations. This change would allow educators to receive compensation reflective of their career-long efforts.

"By advancing this legislation, we’re sending a clear message that New Jersey values the hard work and commitment of our educators," said Polistina.

For further inquiries or comments from Senator Polistina, Jennifer Collins can be contacted at [email protected].