In a recent ruling by a state appeals panel, New Jersey’s regulations aimed at preventing “double-dipping”—where public employees receive pension benefits while holding another public sector position—have been deemed inapplicable to judges. This decision was rendered in favor of Jill Mayer, a former state criminal prosecutor and acting Camden County Prosecutor, who was initially denied pension benefits despite having coordinated with Governor Phil Murphy’s administration regarding her potential nomination to the judiciary.
The Superior Court Appellate Division found that Mayer’s situation did not represent a pre-arranged rehiring agreement that would typically disqualify her from receiving pension benefits. The prospective judicial appointment was contingent upon state approval, differentiating it from the regular employee rehiring process that the double-dipping rules were designed to curb.
Governor Phil Murphy’s administration has been experiencing difficulties in maintaining fully staffed trial court benches, which is a backdrop to these recent judicial appointments. This ruling suggests a potential precedent for how pension rules might be interpreted when it comes to judicial roles, offering clarity on the limitations of New Jersey’s anti-double-dipping regulations.
For further details on the case and the implications of the decision, read the full report here.