NJ Granting Record Accidental Disability Pensions

New laws are blamed for New Jersey granting a record number of accidental disability pensions this year.

Public employees who qualify receive two-thirds of their final salary, with no state or federal taxes deducted, and life insurance without having to pay a premium until age 55.

Employees receive 40 percent of salary and federal taxes are deducted under a normal disability.  The Statehouse Bureau of The Star-Ledger of Newark and The Record says records show the state made $91.5 million in payments to police and firefighters in 2010.

The state Supreme Court in 2007 and 2008 changed eligibility rules.  Pension board chairman John Sierchio says two-thirds of the cases heard involve people who are not really permanently disabled.

Gov. Chris Christie says he'd like to change the laws.  

 (Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

------

Information from: The (Newark) Star-Ledger and The (Woodland

Park) Record, http://www.nj.com/starledger and www.northjersey.com