Professional Firefighters Association
of
New Jersey
International Association of Fire Fighters State Association
--Always on the Front Line Protecting "New Jersey's Bravest"--
--Established 1929--
Member of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO
Welcome to the home page of the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey, proudly representing the interests and concerns of New Jersey's Bravest and their loved ones.
We encourage our membership to periodically, if not several times daily, review the contents of this web site and it's various departments, in order to remain up to date and conversant on the issues facing our profession in the 21st century.
In the event you need more specific or additional information, we further encourage you to submit your inquiry or commentary via e-mail to pfanj@pfanj.org. We will endeavor to provide any needed information or address any concern in a timely manner.
| ELECT GEORGE BOREK - PFRS TRUSTEE | |
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Casting a vote in the PFRS election is every bit as important as in a General Election because a return to “Business as usual” will be seen by those monitoring firefighter issues as your personal OK to continue manipulating the pension system and its assets to our collective detriment.
DO NOT allow anyone to vote on your behalf either by mail,
Internet or fax-that is election fraud!
We have received information that members may be experiencing difficulty printing a full and complete copy of the NJDOP First and Second Level Supervisor General Orientation Guide.
This difficulty may be due to the pdf file being too large for the printer being used.
The aforementioned is reportedly not an uncommon problem. Members should select the "Print as image" option when the "print window" pops up.
This should result in the entire guide being printed.
Members continuing to have difficulty in this regard should immediately contact the NJDOP and notify the PFANJ via pfanj@aol.com.
Click here for a Tentative Agenda for the
2008 PFANJ Convention & Affiliate Leadership Training Seminar
to be held May 27-May 30, 2008
Caesar's Casino Hotel, Atlantic City
Perth Amboy EMS Local 3994 to Host National EMS Week Memorial Bike Ride in Memory of Joseph Murawski - May 17, 2008.
Click here for more details.
Mount Laurel Deputy Chief to "Go for the Gold"
Please consider supporting Mount Laurel Deputy Chief John Colucci, IAFF Local 4408, as he embarks on a fundraising drive to participate in the upcoming IAFF Burn Foundation Marine Corps Marathon, to be held on October 26, 2008.
Click here for more details, including how to donate.
DOP Update...
April 25, 2008: NJDOP Update
- Fire Officer 1 Oral Testing
The New Jersey Department of Personnel has announced Fire Officer 1 oral test
dates as follows:
April 26, May 13 and 14, 2008 Definite
May 19, 20, 21, 28 and 29, 2008 Tentative
Further information regarding confirmation of tentative dates will follow
as it is received.
PFANJ - NJFOP PENSION LITIGATION UPDATE - APRIL 17, 2008
The PFANJ and FOP NJ State Lodge held a telephone conference with attorneys Stanley Epstein and Melvin Greenberg on February 12, 2008. Our attorneys have reviewed the NJEA decision, consulted with our actuarial expert and are prepared to proceed with our PFANJ / NJ State FOP pension litigation. Further reports will follow as developments occur in this regard.
Special Spring Time Sales Items Available at the PFANJ Store
Click here for more details
MDA to Sponsor "Silver Spatula Award"
Competition
Click here for more details
Register here for the 2008 PFANJ Bravest Golf Invitational
It is with deepest regret and sorrow that we announce the death of James “Jimmy” Christian Hoey, nephew of
Richard Duffy - Assistant to the I.A.F.F. General President.
Jimmy died tragically on Sunday, April 13.
He was 17 years old.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either the Boy Scouts of America Troop #15, c/o Alice Hener, 37 Fair Hill Road, Clifton, NJ 07013 or the Somerset Hills Handicapped Riding Center, P.O. box 305, Oldwick, NJ 08858.
Expressions of sympathy or condolences can also be sent to Rich and Elaine at 907 Enderby Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.
To post your condolences or to read Jimmy’s obituary, go to:
http://www.legacy.com/northjersey/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=107664451
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The Boston Globe reports, "Across Massachusetts, cities and towns face the prospect of deep cuts in what appears to be the grimmest fiscal year since 2003. Moreover, " local revenue and state aid can't keep up with such rapidly rising expenses as employee health insurance, heating oil and even street paving. Many " town and city officials face a difficult choice: cut staff and programs..." The Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes, "The city of Atlanta expects to fall short $120 million when it approves its next budget in June, which likely means 25 percent cuts for most city departments. The decrease comes as the city collects less money from sales tax, property taxes and other fees, while spending more on health insurance and pensions. Mayor Shirley Franklin and her staff are brainstorming ways the city can cut back on spending." In Kansas, CBS affiliate WIBW-TV reports, "The Council adopted the 2008 budget with certain dictates to staff, including cutting overtime by 10 percent, cutting contracts and commodities by 3.2 percent, and cutting capital expenses and upgrades for a total...anticipated savings of $750,000. Some of the cuts include reducing callback overtime in the fire department by idling one or two engine companies when staffing drops below minimum levels." These headlines and many more like them are appearing in local newspapers throughout the country, and yours could be the next to feel the budget squeeze. To help IAFF affiliates prepare for and prevent proposed cuts in staffing, health care benefits, compensation, pension plans and other areas as a result of an economic downturn, the IAFF has revised and published its “Surviving An Economic Crisis” guide. This hands-on guide includes advice and guidance to help affiliates understand how their respective local governments operate in order to evaluate the threat, identify resources and develop a strategy and plan to prevent or minimize adverse actions on fire department budgets and individual benefits. Download “Surviving an Economic Crisis” |
PFANJ Spring 2008 Newsletter Available NOW
Click Here for your copy
-Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to read the On Line Newsletter-
-Download your free copy below-
10 WEEK CLUB TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW!
Contact the Treasurer Marino at: dmarino@pfanj.org
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We have been advised that the New Jersey Department of Personnel will be re-issuing all lists for the rank of Battalion Chief.
There will be changes on the re-issued lists based upon the results of appeals for the oral and multiple choice portions of the Battalion Chief's exam.
The NJDOP is expected to mail the re-issued lists to all departments and candidates by Thursday, March 6, 2008.
Click On The Graphic Above For The Latest News Briefs From The I.A.F.F.
April 23, 2008
State Health Benefits Program Changes
Click Here - Active Member Plan Comparison
Click Here - Retired Member Plan Comparison
Click Here - Chapter 330 Rates
Second Annual IAFF-MG National Rally to be Held in Fayetteville The IAFF Motorcycle Group (IAFF-MG) will hold its Second Annual IAFF-MG National Rally in beautiful Fayetteville, Arkansas, May 12-15, 2008. IAFF-MG members will meet in Fayetteville and spend three days networking and riding in the beautiful Ozark Mountains. Located in Northwest Arkansas in the Ozark Mountains, Fayetteville, home of the University of Arkansas, is the cultural capitol of the region, and enjoys a thriving economy and a vivacious atmosphere. From Dickson Street nightlife, to Farmer's Market on the square, to the annual Bikes Blues & Barbecue Rally, Fayetteville is big on personality with much to experience, yet has the intimate feel of a small town. There is something for everyone! Fayetteville is the perfect place to relax, re-energize and RIDE. IAFF-MG members and riders will be required to register and sign a waiver to participate in the Fayetteville Rally. For more information, email motorcyclegroup@iaff.org. |
Click Here - Important Safety Notice for all users of Scott NFPA 1981, 2002 Edition Self Contained Breathing Apparatus who received their SCBA or replaced the low pressure hose on their
SCBA after June, 2005
Click Here: Announcement of New State Health Benefits Medical Plans
How We Died in the Line of Duty
USFA Releases Provisional 2007 Firefighter Fatality Statistics
NJ.COM - December 4, 2007 - TRENTON - State Sen. Stephen Sweeney introduced legislation Monday to give emergency workers a better chance of receiving workers compensation for chronic illnesses suffered as a result of responding to disasters.
"9/11 is really what brought this to the forefront," said Sweeney, D-3 of West Deptford. "Everyone said it was safe to be there in New York, now you're finding out people are getting very sick from it."
The measure would place the burden on employers to prove that a responder's illness did not stem from a response effort, rather than requiring employees to prove that it did to receive workers compensation.
The bill would also require workers compensation to cover testing and other healthcare costs leading to the diagnosis of an illness, even if it is later discovered that the employee has a clean bill of health.
"The last thing a first responder needs when they're in the initial stages of an emergency (is to think) Is my family going to be taken care of if suddenly I lose my health?'" said Keith B. Kemery, president of the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey. "We need this legislation in place so that our protectors are protected."
The measure is called the "Thomas P. Canzanella Twenty First Century First Responders Protection Act," named after a deputy chief in the Hackensack Fire Department who died of a heart attack in June. Prior to his death, Canzanella lobbied for such a measure after witnessing emergency personnel falling ill after Sept. 11.
The bill would cover paid or volunteer emergency, correctional, fire, police and medical personnel responding to fires, chemical explosions, spills or other disasters.
"This happens every single day, whether it's a rail car, whether its just running into a burning building where there's chemicals..." Sweeney said. "But these brave men and women, they don't hesitate, they're there looking out for us, we have to look out for them."
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) led the nation in the fire and emergency services’ first Safety Stand Down in 2005 -- a groundbreaking event focused exclusively on reducing line-of-duty deaths. The program was supported by other major fire service organizations, and in the last three years has grown into a successful safety awareness and training initiative. In 2008, the Safety Stand Down will become known as the Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week, to be held June 22-28, 2008. This week will be devoted to reviewing safety policies, evaluating the progress of existing initiatives and discussing health and fitness. The IAFF encourages all affiliates and members to participate in the event and to pass along this information to all fire and EMS responders in your local. For more information, contact the IAFF Department of Occupational Health, Safety and Medicine at (202) 824-9304 or the IAFF Department of Fire/EMS Operations at |
Election 2008 Results.....
Latest New Jersey, State Senate Elections Updates
Latest New Jersey, State Assembly Elections Updates
To: All Local Presidents, Delegates and Members of the PFANJ From: Kevin Gallagher, IAFF 1st District Vice President Date: November 28, 2007 Subject: Social Security Benefits I am passing along info that originated with the 4th Marine Div. Assn. This is due to the fact that in many instances, your earnings while in the military were NOT reported to Social Security.
Kevin Gallagher |
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DOP News...
The PFANJ has received the following information from the New Jersey Department of Personnel regarding the upcoming testing schedule:
FIRE CHIEF
The next announcement is scheduled for August 1, 2007 with a test projected for November/December 2007.
DEPUTY CHIEF
The next announcement is scheduled for December, 2007 with a test projected for
March, 2008.
BATTALION FIRE CHIEF
No announcement scheduled. The current list began in May 2007.
SECOND LEVEL SUPERVISOR
The next announcement is scheduled for August 2007 with a projected test date in November/December, 2007.
FIRST LEVEL SUPERVISOR
The next announcement is scheduled for August 2007 with a projected test date in November/December 2007
ENTRY LEVEL FIREFIGHTER
No announcement scheduled. Current test should have make ups completed this summer with projections for the list to be issued in the Fall of 2007
Further information will follow as information is received and developments occur.
DOP Update...
Unlike previous incidents or times, when the DOP would provide us with the promotional lists in advance, they released the lists at the same time with no advance notification. The results can be viewed by clicking onto the link provided. You will need to enter your city's symbol (see below) to view the eligible lists.
Click here: NJ DOP - ELIGIBILITY LIST
For more information go to:
http://www.state.nj.us/personnel/public_safety/ffighters_titles.htm
The IAFF has established the IAFF CHARLESTON FIRE FIGHTERS JUNE 18 FUND to provide financial assistance to the families of the nine fire fighters who lost their lives in Charleston, South Carolina, on June 18, 2007. Contributions to this fund, which are not tax deductible as charitable contributions, may be mailed to the following address: THE IAFF CHARLESTON FIRE FIGHTERS JUNE 18 FUND |
Setting the Record Straight...
By Thomas P. Canzanella, President
NJFMBA Wages Shameful Misdirection Campaign to
Secure Yes Vote on Affiliation.
For details and an explanation click here.
PFANJ - NJFOP Provide Testimony Before Senate
&
Assembly Budget Committees
Click Here for details
ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS
Recently enacted New York State Worker's Compensation law provides a legal avenue of protection for New Jersey firefighters and related emergency services and Support Specialty Personnel (construction trades workers) who operated at NYC Ground Zero and or at Fresh Kills Landfill during the hours, days and weeks following 9/11. We urge anyone who operated to file for protections under this law in advance of injury or illness that may develop as a result of those occupational exposures to airborne or skin contact contaminants. In many cases it may be years before such injury might develop.
Click below for the download that provides an explanation on how to file. Make sure you retain a copy of all related paperwork for your own file.
Should you have any questions whatsoever, or require legal representation in this or any regard for occupationally related injury or illness, or even suspect such, the union recommends you contact our Preferred Provider for Worker's Compensation and product liability Stark & Stark's Arthur Kravitz at 609/896-9060, or Bob Capuano at 856/874-4443 immediately.
BE sure you advise them of your PFANJ membership.
Click here: http://www.wcb.state.ny.us/content/main/forms/WTC-12.pdf
STATE PENSION THREAT LEVELS
LAST UPDATED: February 13, 2007
This report is produced by the AFL-CIO Office of Investment
THREE ALARMS
New Jersey - Fresh from a scuffle with the New Jersey Legislature over who should take on the task of re-examining pensions and health care benefits for state employees, Gov. Jon S. Corzine he was prepared to embark on “serious restructuring” efforts because soaring costs would make it impossible for the state to keep pace over the next decade. Echoing the sentiment of a number of financial experts, Mr. Corzine warned that the process used by the state to estimate its pension shortfalls at about $18 billion were way off, and that the number was “much larger.”“It’s impossible for us to stay on the course that we are on today, and deliver what people are asking for,” he said.
On November 30th thousands of unionized state workers took to the streets at locations around the state to protest plans to trim their retirement and health benefits. They were protesting 41 recommendations from the Legislature's Joint Committee on Public Employee Benefits Reform, one of four special committees that studied ways to trim government spending and property taxes. The proposals include raising the retirement age from 60 to 62, adding co-payments for health coverage and rolling back pension benefits by about 9% for new employees.
The panel's recommendations come as the payments state and local governments make into the public retirement system are soaring, and the funds have a deficit conservatively estimated at $18 billion. Committee members also said the cost of insurance premiums for hundreds of thousands of retired teachers and public employees are likely to double within three years, and that a 9 percent retirement benefit hike approved in 2001 is proving unaffordable. On July 28th, Governor Corzine called for a two-tiered system of benefits, in which new employees would have a higher retirement age and a 401(k)-like retirement system.
After strong lobbying by state public employee unions, the FY 2007 budget included a $1.1 billion pension contribution, more than the last 10 years combined. In 1994 Republican Gov. Christie Whitman raided pensions to pay for a $1.2 billion tax cut for the wealthy. Whitman increased employees' contribution to the plan to 5 percent, and through a series of legal maneuvers, she and subsequent governors allowed the state to ride the stock market to cover its pension obligations, deferring payments into the plan. The state pension’s director testified last fall that they had shortchanged the pension funds by $5.5 billion.
PFANJ Members Participate In
Trenton Public Employees Pension & Benefits Rally
December 11, 2006
Click here for more information
PFANJ - NJFOP Join Forces Opposing Pension and Collective Bargaining Changes
Click here
CARRYING THE LOAD
Star Ledger - Letters to the Editor
Posted - August 16, 2006
After reading your Aug. 6 article "Huge pension payments testing towns," I think New Jersey's police and fire fighters deserve not to be signaled out as villains when, in fact police and fire fighters have carried the Police and Fireman's Retirement System (PFRS) on their backs since 1997, paying 8.5% of their salaries while employers saved millions. By the way, just how much did cities and towns save over the past 9 years while police and fire fighters carried the load?
You omit the fact that most police and fire fighters in New Jersey are not eligible for Social Security. Police and fire fighters and the cities and towns in which they work don't pay into the system, another enormous savings to cities and towns. Are their issues regarding New Jersey's pension funds? You bet. But leave the police and fire fighters out of it.
John B. Sandella
Verona.
The writer is president of Newark Fire Officers Union Local 1860
NEWS BRIEFS....
Professional Firefighter's - Loud and Clear on our Pensions...
"There is a notion out there being perpetrated by some that current discussions in Trenton and in the media about pension reforms and changes do not include professional firefighters and police officers... Our employers have withheld over $4 billion in pension contributions, and reduced our funding from near 100% to just 80% as of the most recent pension actuarial report. They don't want to pay back what they owe the system and they are so used to not paying, they begrudge the substandard contributions they make now, while you literally carry the system on your back. Worse yet they are in the papers every chance they get trying to convince taxpayers that our pensions are the root cause of high property taxes versus the folly of their underfunding scheme... Kind makes ya' wonder why you weren't there doesn't it?
Click here for photos from this event.
Attention Potential IAFF EMS Members!
Click here for a downloadable and printable IAFF document
"Showing and Demonstration of Interest"
for those individuals wishing to learn more about
and affiliate with the International Association of Fire Fighters...
Kindly fill out the form and then mail it the
State Association Office ASAP!
TOWNS TARGET COP, FIREFIGHTER PENSIONS COSTS
TRENTON TIMES - February 21, 2006 - Deeming it the most costly benefits plan confronting local governments, a group representing New Jersey's municipalities wants publicly funded pensions for police and firefighters reformed, and soon.
That politically risky advice from the New Jersey State League of Municipalities quickly generated opposition yesterday.
"Without being disrespectful to the League, it's almost laughable," said Thomas P. Canzanella, president of the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey.
The league -- a state authorized organization that represents all 566 municipalities -- said the state's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) needs to be changed to help municipalities control costs.
Its report comes as state and local governments face pension and health insurance costs that threaten to consume 20 percent of the state budget by 2010, possibly boosting state and local taxes and restricting spending on other needs. The state owes about $1.5 billion in pension payments next fiscal year.
But the league's report, which responds to public employee pension reform recommendations suggested last year by a special state task force, focuses much concern on pensions given specifically to retired police and firefighters.
William Dressel, the league's executive director, said the system is often a "poster-child example of the Legislature running amok and giving away benefits way beyond what is considered normal compensation."
The state task force, appointed by then Gov. Richard J. Codey, didn't recommend major changes to police and firefighter benefits, with its chairman noting police and firefighters have different and more dangerous jobs than most public workers.
The task force, for instance, excluded police and firefighters from a proposal to increase the public employee retirement age from 55 to 60.
"We take a strong exception to the whole notion of not dealing with all the state-administered pension systems equally," Dressel said.
The state also manages pension systems for civilian government workers, judges and teachers. PFRS funds pensions for state, county and municipal law enforcement and firefighters.
"We should be treated differently, Canzanella said, "not only because of the jobs we do and the inherent dangers of the jobs, but we have the highest contribution rates among the public employees in New Jersey and one of the highest contribution rates in the nation."
PFRS is funded by contributions from governments and individual officers and firefighters, though the state and county and local governments made only limited contributions from 1997 to 2003, adding to the public employee pension woes.
Police and firefighters continued to make contributions and recently filed suit against the state for failing to meet its obligations. That suit is pending.
"I don't know how you make the determination that our pension system is too unwieldy after (they) carved so much out of it with underfunding," Canzanella said. "We didn't underfund it. They did."
Edward R. Brannigan, president of the New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police, said he also had concerns.
"The League of Municipalities has got some nerve," he said. "They haven't paid into our pension fund for so long, and now it's time to pay the piper and they say it's our fault.
"These are not entitlements," he added. "These are negotiated benefits."
The league stated benefits for a PFRS member cost three times that of a local government worker. The PFRS has about 45,000 members and $16.35 billion in assets while the system for government workers has about 315,000 members and $23 billion in assets.
The overall state pension system faces a $12.1 billion deficit, with local governments responsible for $3.5 billion. Of that $3.5 billion, the league said 60 percent is for PFRS.
The league blamed much of the problem on state mandates approved by the Legislature for police and firefighters despite league opposition.
For instance, the league cited bills passed during the recent lame-duck legislative session that, among other measures, required full-time county fire marshals and assistant fire marshals to enroll in PFRS.
The league cited what it declared a "significant" pension ratio for PFRS members, under which police and firefighters who retire after 20 years receive 50 percent of their pay, after 25 years get 65 percent pay and after 30 years get 70 percent pay, regardless of age.
"It just doesn't seem fair and equitable to look at all the other systems and not police and fire," Dressel said.
He acknowledged the danger involved in police and firefighting work but said public works employees, social workers, road crews and trash collectors also face dangers.
"We could look at it that way, too," Dressel said.
While the league called for "corrective action," it didn't specify proposed police and firefighter pension reforms beyond ending legislative mandates and eliminating a special mortgage program for PFRS members.
Dressel said the group gave its report to Gov. Jon Corzine's senior staff and to legislative leaders.
"We sincerely hope that state-level policymakers will carefully consider our recommendations," Dressel said. "We have looked at New Jersey's long- and short-term pension and benefit problems, and our recommendations build on what has worked in the private sector and in other states."
Canzanella said no immediate action is needed beyond state and local governments meeting their contribution obligations.
"How about everyone pay into the system like they're supposed to, and then we'll come back in a couple of years and see what type of shape it's in?" he said.
The Group "Firefighters Charitable Foundation" Appearing to be
Based out of Rhode Island, while it may be a Legitimate Organization in Nature-has Absolutely NO Connection whatsoever with the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey or the IAFF.
They are Apparently Soliciting in this Area.
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IAFF SCAM WARNING The IAFF has been made aware that individuals claiming to represent the IAFF have contacted IAFF members regarding IAFF Financial Corporation (IAFF-FC) programs and services. These individuals are requesting personal information that nationally recognized and respected authorized IAFF-FC service providers will never ask over the phone. The IAFF-FC offers competitively priced investment options, top-notch education financing programs, home mortgage programs and insurance protection for IAFF affiliates and members. IAFF-FC service providers are not allowed to call individual IAFF members unless the member expresses a direct interest in those programs or services.
Please report any unsolicited contact from individuals claiming to represent the IAFF or
For more information regarding the IAFF-FC, click here. |
Background and Summary of Complaint
Pension Protection Action
Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey, IAFF, AFL-CIO
New Jersey State Fraternal Order of Police
Tuesday, October 4, 2005
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| President Canzanella with NJ Fraternal Order |
The Police and Firemen’s Retirement System of New Jersey (PFRS) held a surplus of approximately $938,000,000 in FY2000 drawing down to a deficit of approximately $3,574,000,000 for FY2004. This $4.5 billion dollar deterioration is largely the result of legislation (S-2586 of 2003) that permitted municipal employers of law enforcement officers and firefighters to defer and discount employer required contributions to the PFRS, in association with the State of New Jersey’s own failure to make required contributions. During this same time frame, police officers and firefighters continued to make their own statutorily required contributions totaling 8.5% of their base annual salaries, one, if not the highest public safety employee pension contribution rate in the Nation.
The State of New Jersey and its municipalities were first relieved of their obligations make employer required contributions in 1997, when legislation was enacted that revised the method of accounting and valuing plan assets. Under this new and more creative method of accounting, the value of PFRS assets was purposely and substantially increased, resulting in intended excess or more accurately, inflated assets. Accordingly, the State and its municipalities used those enhanced assets as a manner in which to relieve themselves of their obligation to match employee contributions for the purpose of tax relief. Despite the “free ride” afforded to both the State and municipalities, police officers and firefighters remained obligated, and so did they continue, to contribute 8.5% of their base annual salaries for which they have neither sought nor been granted any similar relief.
In 2003, with those self-created inflated assets running dry, despite facing a growing PFRS deficit, and in order to provide continued budgetary relief to municipalities who had by their own admission made no provisions whatsoever to resume employer contributions, the State Treasurer proposed, and the Legislature adopted, an initiative (S-2586) permitting municipalities to pay only a discounted fraction of their required pension contributions. Adding insult to injury, despite the fact that the foregoing legislation in no way extended the State a like ability to skip or discount badly needed pension contributions, they did so nonetheless, paying only a fraction of their required obligation. Again, and to this day as we go forward, police officers and their firefighter counterparts remain obligated to contribute 8.5% of their base annual salaries serving as the sole and sustaining guaranteed plan income.
As a result of the aforementioned legislation, and in association with the States non-legislated failure to required contributions, the PFRS funding ratio, which indicates the financial soundness of the plan, has fallen from 105.65 % for FY2000, to 100.85% for FY2001, to 95.82% for FY2002, to 88.45% for FY2003 and to 83.95% for FY2004.
Enactment of the 2003 legislation, in association with the State’s failure to make their own proper contributions absent legal legislative authority, deprives the PFRS of the funds necessary to maintain it on a sound actuarial reserve basis. An undeniable consequence of this failed scheme is the alarmingly significant reduction in plan earnings from investments and interest that would have been derived from skipped and substandard contributions. The foregoing serving to jeopardize the financial soundness of the plan and its ability to make good on earned benefits as they come due in the future. In that regard, the complete and total lack of prudent fiscal judgment demonstrated by the strategy articulated in S-2586, relying upon the exclusive use of employee contributions to either sustain or accordingly grow the plan, that resulted in the type of significant funding losses sustained over the last several years represents an abdication of fiduciary responsibilities in its purest form.
The complaint seeks to declare the 2003 legislation (S-2586) unconstitutional, to end any conflict of interest that would allow the State Treasurer to determine type and variety of contributions aside from statutory law, and to direct defendants to make regular full payments to the PFRS for FY2004, FY2005, and beyond, in accordance with fiscally responsible actuarial calculations.
The plaintiffs, Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey, I.A.F.F.-AFL-CIO, and the New Jersey State Fraternal Order of Police, along with representative active and retired members and widows of members of these two unions who have been affected by this failure to adequately fund the plan, are represented by the law firm of Greenberg, Dauber, Epstein & Tucker of Newark. The PFANJ/IAFF and NJFOP represent the majority of career professional firefighters and law enforcement officers throughout the State of New Jersey and this Nation.
Named as defendants in this action are the State of New Jersey,
John McCormac- Treasurer, the New Jersey State Senate and General Assembly.
The aforementioned action was filed this day in State Superior Court.
For additional information and commentary please contact:
Thomas P. Canzanella, President PFANJ 609/396-9766 or 201/310-2051
Edward R. Brannigan, President NJFOP 609/599-1222
- Preferred Provider - State Association Civil Counsel -
- Preferred Provider-State Association Labor Counsel -
Effective January 1, 2007, a 7% Sales Service Tax Must be
Added to all Bally's Memberships
The Most Dangerous and Debilitating Job in the Nation
Sometimes Wears Us Down
*Take Good Care of Yourself*
*Take Good Care of Your Brother and Sister Firefighters*
*Take Good Care of Your Family and Friends*
*For Situation Related Stress, Substance Dependency, Family Counseling*
***New Jersey Fire & EMS Lifeline***
24 hour Firefighter to Firefighter, Medic to Medic
Peer Counseling / Crisis Intervention Unit
Completely Confidential * For Members and Their Families
ENDORSED BY THE
PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY / IAFF, AFL-CIO
The organization "Association for Disabled Firefighters, Inc." is in
NO WAY, shape or form connected to the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey, AFL-CIO, or the International Association of Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO, CLC.
We do not know whom they are or what they do.
ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS!
Keep your PFRS beneficiary status up to date at all times
Click here for access to various PFRS forms and related information
The Police and Fireman's Pension Handbook
Has Been Updated
Click Here for an Online Updated Copy
| Breaking News! | ||
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New Jersey Division of Fire Safety Issues Memorandum Regarding Recent Auto Dealership Fires. Click here for more details. Perth Amboy EMS Local 3994 to Host National EMS Week Memorial Bike Ride in Memory of Joseph Murawski - May 17, 2008. Click here for more details. Atlantic City Airport Firefighters - Local S-18 Present Engine Company Ops/Truck Company Ops. Seminar. Click here for more details. PFANJ Bravest Golf Invitational - May 27, 2008. Click here for more details. NIOSH Issues User Notice for Certain Air Purifying Respirators. Click here for more details. Hometown Heroes Death Benefits Improperly Denied, Reports OIG. Click here for more details. MDA to Sponser "Silver Spatula Award" Competition. Click here for more details. PFANJ Store Announces Special Spring Sales Items. IAFF Urges House Scrutiny of Public Safety Communications Network. Click here for more details. House Approves IAFF Recommendations to Strengthen U.S. Fire Administration. Click here for more details. CNN: New CPR Technique. Click here for more details. Cinnaminson Uniformed Firefighters - Local 4363 present Inaugural Motorcycle Poker Run. Click here for more details. Annual PFANJ Bravest Beach Party - June 25, 2008. NFPA Sets New National Standard for CO Screening. Click here for more details. IAFF Launches New Online Resource that HELPS IAFF Members. Click here for more details. Important Information for all Members and Retirees Covered by State Health Benefits Program. Click here for more details. IRS Publishes Instructions on HELPS Benefit. Click here for more details. Newark Fire Officers Union Local 1860 President Responds to Recent Star Ledger Article. Click here for more information. NBC Nightly News - Firefighter Safety Device Faulty. Click here for more details. Flaws Found in Firefighters’ Last Line of Defense. Click here for more details. Firefighters Face New Hazard. Click here for more details. New Jersey Department of Labor Issues Safety Alert Regarding MSA SCBA Equipped with AirFrame™ Carrier & Harness Assembly. Click here for more details. PFANJ President Responds to Latest Star Ledger Pension Editorial. Click here for more information. PFANJ President Responds to Bergen County Record "Runaway Pay" Series. Click here for more information. NJ AFL-CIO Issues Support Letter for State Workers. Click here for more details. PFANJ President Sends Rebuttal Letter to Local Mayor Regarding Recent Newspaper Article. Click here for more information. PFANJ President Raises Concerns Regarding Homeland Security Funding Cuts During Press Conference . Click here for more information. PFANJ and New Jersey FOP File Pension Protection Action in New Jersey State Superior Court. Click here for more information. Politicians Must Stop Abusing Pension System. Click here for more information. PFANJ President Addresses State of New Jersey Benefits Review Commission. Click here for more information. Bally Sports Clubs Offer Special Corporate Rates for PFANJ Members and their Immediate Family. Click here for more details. PFANJ Launches New Bravest Emergency Relief Fund. Click here for more details. IAFF Financial Corporation now offers Life, Home, and Auto Insurance. Click Here for details. Hershey Park Discount Coupons available through the PFANJ Office. Click here for more details. Dutch Wonderland Discount Coupons available through the PFANJ Office. Click here for more details. Universal Studios Fan Club cards available through the PFANJ Office. Click here for more details. |
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From The I.A.F.F. Motorcycle Group
| Officer Candidate School DOP test preparation for All Ranks Private Tutoring By an Ex-DOP Subject Mater Expert & Examiner Creative, Innovative, Successful, Instruction Inquiries: (732) 688-8276 or Click here for details |
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Mattie Stepaneck's Peacemaker Bike Web Site
Professional Pension Benefit & Retirement Consultation
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"Gift from FDJC Captain Buscio"
Free Cardiac Screening for Firefighters
We are extremely fortunate that Donna Buscio and her family
have seen fit to share this program with all PFANJ members!
Click here for details!
Union Plus Benefits for IAFF Members
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