Dear Mayor:

Your local registrar will be receiving a letter from the Division of Pensions within the next few days concerning the pension implications of the Domestic Partnership Act going into effect on July 10, 2004. It describes the pension benefits that may be extended to same-sex domestic partners and the procedures for a local governmental entity to adopt these benefits for its employees and current and future retirees. It will include a form of resolution to be used by a governing body wishing to extend benefits to domestic partners of employees. All of the language in this form resolution must be used by the governing body in its resolution, and it must be sent after adoption to the Division of Pensions and Benefits.

Shortly thereafter, the Division will send a second letter to local employers who participate in the State Health Benefits Program for their active employees. This letter will contain information concerning the extension of health benefits to domestic partners of employees and retirees of local government.

It is important to remember that the extension of pension and health benefits under the Domestic Partnership Act applies only to same sex domestic partners. Since opposite sex domestic partners have the option of obtaining these benefits by marrying, the benefits are not extended to them under the new law.

Please share this information with your municipal registrar. The letters, attachments, and other information will be posted on the Division of Pensions website at: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/

If you have any questions or concerns about this communication, please contact Deborah M. Kole, Staff Attorney, at the League, Ex. 37, or at dkole@njslom.com