43:15A-153. Return of accumulated contributions; election of retirement allowance
12. a. A workers compensation judge making contributions pursuant to the provisions of this act, P.L.2001, c.259 (C.43:15A-142 et seq.), and who is not eligible for any benefits under the Workers Compensation Judges Part, may, upon termination of such service as a judge of compensation, elect to receive the return of the judge's accumulated contributions in accordance with the provisions of subsection a. of section 41 of P.L.1954, c.84 (C. 43:15A-41). If a workers compensation judge is a member of the retirement system on the basis of other public service, no application for a return of contributions shall be approved until the judge has terminated all service covered by the system and makes application for a return of all contributions made to the retirement system. If all or any part of a member's service as a workers compensation judge is applied toward qualifying for benefits under any other provision of P.L.1954, c.84 to which this act, P.L.2001, c.259 (C.43:15A-142 et seq.), is a supplement, no return of contributions made on the basis of the workers compensation judge salary shall be approved, and in that event, service established as a workers compensation judge and salary pertaining thereto shall be credited in the same manner as all other service and salary covered by the retirement system.
b. At the time of retirement, a member enrolled on the basis of service as a judge of compensation as well as other public service shall be permitted to elect the largest possible retirement allowance, if the member qualifies for benefits under both the provisions of this act and the act to which this is a supplement. An application for a return of contributions made on the basis of such other public service not used for the calculation of a retirement allowance or to qualify for State payment for health care benefits in retirement may be approved.
c. A workers compensation judge electing to receive a retirement allowance under the Workers Compensation Judges Part shall be ineligible to receive a retirement allowance or pension for the same service under any other law of the State.
L.2001,c.259,s.12.