The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Base salary" means the annual compensation of a member, in accordance with contracts, ordinances, resolutions, or other established salary policies of the member's employer for all employees in the same position, or all employees covered by the same collective bargaining agreement, which is reported in regular, periodic installments in accordance with the payroll cycle of the employer.
"Bona fide severance from employment" means a complete termination of the employee's employment relationship with the employer for a period of at least 180 days. The 180-day count begins September 1 for July 1 retirees who were 10-month employees. The following does not constitute a complete termination of the employee's relationship with the employer: employment or reemployment in a part-time or volunteer position; employment or reemployment in a position that is not covered by the Defined Benefit Plan; a change in title; employment or reemployment as a contract or subcontract employee, a leased employee, or an independent contractor; or termination of employment with a pre-arranged agreement for reemployment.
"DCRP" means the Defined Contribution Retirement Program.
"Division" means the Division of Pensions and Benefits, Department of Treasury, in the State of New Jersey.
"Employers Pensions and Benefits Information Connection" or "EPIC" is a set of internet-based applications that allow registered employers who have obtained authorization by the certifying officer of the location, access to manage their employees' pensions and, if applicable, health benefits account information. The specific group of application buttons that are visible will depend on the type of employer and the level of access authorized by the certifying officer of the location.
"Extra compensation" means individual salary adjustments, which are granted primarily in anticipation of a member's retirement; additional remuneration for performing temporary duties beyond the regular work day or work year or additional remuneration for performing duties that are not integral to the effective functioning of the regular school curriculum.
"Fund" or "TPAF" means the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund, created pursuant to 18A:66-56.
"Independent medical examiner" or "IME" means the physician or group of physicians contracted by the Division to perform an independent medical evaluation on disability retirement applicants.
"Medical Review Board" consists of three physicians, each responsible for reviewing all medical documentation submitted in relation to any applications submitted for ordinary or accidental disability retirement.
"Member Benefits Online System" or "MBOS" is a set of internet-based applications that allow registered members access to manage their pension and, if applicable, health benefits account information.
"PERS" means the Public Employees' Retirement System, created pursuant to 43:15A-17.
"Treating physician" is defined as someone who provides the member, or has provided the member, with medical treatment on an ongoing basis.
"Work year" means either a 10-month contracted employee who works from September through June of each year and is compensated for each month or a 12-month contracted employee who works from July through June and is compensated for each month or any other approved 10- or 12-month approved contract period.
N.J. Admin. Code § 17:3-1A.1