Receiving a pension in the state of New Jersey subjects you to all of the laws of the state. You must obey the tax laws when receiving retirement income regardless of the source of income. Even if you moved from New York to New Jersey or worked in New York and are receiving a pension from New York, your pension payments are still within the jurisdiction of New Jersey if you are a resident of the state.
Significance
New Jersey assesses income tax on retirement income in the state. When you retire, and your company sends you a pension payment, this pension income is subject to income tax. The tax is payable at ordinary income tax rates. You must include your pension income as well as any other retirement income you receive.
Effect
You pay income tax on the money you receive from New York. Even though your pension is from New York, New Jersey assesses income tax on retirement income from all states, local governments and from the federal government. You must file your tax return and pay tax on this income for the year that you earn it. Any unpaid pension amount or pension lump sum rolled over into an IRA is not taxable until you receive the income.
Benefit
You may qualify for a pension exclusion. New Jersey allows a pension exclusion when you turn age 62. If your adjusted gross income falls below $100,000, then you won't owe income tax on your pension income. This allows you to retire at your normal retirement age for Social Security purposes and receive both your private or government pension, personal retirement savings and Social Security free of income tax provided you meet the income requirements.
Consideration
You may avoid taxation of income at retirement if you draw money from a Roth IRA or a cash value life insurance policy. The Roth IRA allows you to remove money tax-free during retirement. But, the Roth IRA also allows you to remove your contributions from the plan first, thus avoiding state income tax. Likewise, cash value life insurance allows you to remove money from the policy through policy loans. These loans are income tax-free.
References
- State of New Jersey Department of the Treasury: NJ Income Tax -- Income Exclusions
- State of New Jersey Department of the Treasury: NJ Income Tax -- Pensions
- U.S. Department of Labor. "Types of Retirement Plans." Accessed July 25, 2020.
- Department of Labor. "What You Should Know About Your Retirement Plan," Page 4. Accessed July 25, 2020.
- Department of Labor. "FAQs about Retirement Plans and ERISA," Page 4. Accessed July 25, 2020.
- Internal Revenue Service. "Topic No. 410 Pensions and Annuities." Accessed July 25, 2020.
- Internal Revenue Service. "Publication 575 (2019): Pension and Annuity Income," Page 6. Accessed July 25, 2020.
- Department of Labor. "What You Should Know About Your Retirement Plan," Page 6. July 25, 2020.
- Department of Labor. "FAQs about Retirement Plans and ERISA," Page 12. Accessed July 25, 2020.
- Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. "Your Guaranteed Pension: Single-Employer Plans." Accessed July 25, 2020.
- Social Security Administration. "The Disappearing Defined Benefit Pension and Its Potential Impact on the Retirement Incomes of Baby Boomers." Accessed July 25, 2020.
- Department of the Treasury. "Treasury Issues Final Rules Regarding Longevity Annuities." Accessed July 25, 2020.
- IRS. "IRA Deduction Limits." Accessed July 25, 2020.
Writer Bio
I am a Registered Financial Consultant with 6 years experience in the financial services industry. I am trained in the financial planning process, with an emphasis in life insurance and annuity contracts. I have written for Demand Studios since 2009.