Does Social Security reduce a TPAF pension?
The NJDPB says your pension isn't reduced by Social Security. Its materials suggest teachers pay Social Security tax, but don't say so directly.
We state only that the TPAF pension isn't reduced by Social Security.
Guidebook p. 34; Planning Guide pp. 3-4The Social Security wage limit
For Tiers 2-5, the Social Security maximum wage also caps the pay that counts for your pension ($184,500 in 2026). Pay above it goes to the DCRP. See The pension formula and which tier am I? Fact Sheet #79 p. 1, PERS/TPAF Annual Maximum Wage; N.J.S.A. 18A:66-2(d)(2); N.J.S.A. 43:15C-2
| Year | Limit |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $142,800 |
| 2022 | $147,000 |
| 2023 | $160,200 |
| 2024 | $168,600 |
| 2025 | $176,100 |
| 2026 | $184,500 |
Tier 2-5 members' pensionable salary is limited to the Social Security maximum wage for the year; it changes each January. Final salary at retirement is limited to the amounts in effect when the salary was earned. Fact Sheet #79 p. 1, PERS/TPAF Annual Maximum Wage; N.J.S.A. 18A:66-2(d)(2); N.J.S.A. 43:15C-2
What else the NJDPB says
A few more lines in the NJDPB's guides touch Social Security: how to treat it in your plan, its earnings test (separate from the TPAF's own rules on working after retirement), disability, and Medicare, which you sign up for through Social Security and which your retiree health coverage depends on.
- The NJDPB's planning guide says Social Security was never meant to be a primary source of income and should be treated as supplemental retirement income. It says most PERS and TPAF retirees need to replace about 80 percent of their final year's gross income.Planning Guide p. 3
- Read your annual Social Security Statement and check it for accuracy: it lists your earnings history, and your Social Security benefit is based on your highest 35 years of earnings. Social Security: 1-800-772-1213.Planning Guide p. 3
- Social Security has an earnings test for people receiving benefits before Social Security's full retirement age. The NJDPB says to check those earnings limits with the Social Security Administration before taking a job after retirement.Guidebook p. 34
- Approval for Social Security Disability benefits has no bearing on an application for TPAF Ordinary Disability Retirement.Guidebook p. 27
- If you or a dependent are 65, or have been on Social Security Disability for 24 months or more, when you retire, you must enroll in Medicare Parts A and B to keep retiree coverage. Apply through Social Security 90 days before your retiree health eligibility date; without Parts A and B, SHBP/SEHBP coverage is terminated.Fact Sheet #11 p. 2
That's all the sources say. They don't give a Social Security estimate, and they don't say directly whether your district withholds Social Security tax.
Who to ask
For your Social Security benefit, use your statement at ssa.gov or call the Social Security Administration. For your TPAF pension, use MBOS or call the NJDPB at 609-292-7524.
What the NJDPB says
- Your TPAF pension is not reduced by any Social Security benefits you receive.Guidebook p. 34
- Check with NJDPBThe Division's planning guide lists FICA taxes among costs that end at retirement, which suggests teachers pay into Social Security, but no TPAF source says so directly.Planning Guide pp. 3-4Social Security coverage isn't stated explicitly.
Questions
Does Social Security reduce my TPAF pension?
No. The NJDPB says your TPAF pension is not reduced by any Social Security benefits you receive.
Do New Jersey teachers pay into Social Security?
The NJDPB's materials suggest it but don't say so directly. Check your Social Security statement at ssa.gov, which shows your covered earnings.
Can I work after retiring and still collect Social Security?
Social Security has its own earnings test before its full retirement age. The NJDPB says to check those limits with the Social Security Administration before you take a job.
Do I need Medicare when I retire from the TPAF?
If you or a dependent are 65, or have had Social Security Disability for 24 months, you must enroll in Medicare Parts A and B to keep retiree health coverage. Apply through Social Security 90 days ahead.
Source: TPAF Member Guidebook, July 2026 (SP-0733-0726), pp. 10, 27, 34. Also: Retirement Planning Member Guidebook (March 2025), pp. 3-4. Also: NJDPB Fact Sheet #79 (Feb. 2026), pp. 1-2. Also: Employers' Pensions and Benefits Administration Manual, TPAF (June 2026), p. 6. Also: NJDPB Fact Sheet #11 (Oct. 2026), p. 2. Statute: N.J.S.A. 18A:66-2, 43:15C-2. Last reviewed .