Official Site of The State of New Jersey

MBOS Retired User's Information Guide

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PART I — Welcome to the Member Benefits Online System (MBOS)

The Member Benefits Online System (MBOS) is a set of Internet based applications that allow registered retirees and benefit recipients access to their pension and, if applicable, health benefit account information. The Division of Pensions and Benefits has designed MBOS to be both fast and easy to use. Once you begin to use MBOS, we believe you will find it to be one of your most useful resources for getting accurate, up-to-date information about your pension and health benefits.

For more information about becoming a registered user of MBOS, see the MBOS Registration Information page.

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Your MBOS Home Page

When you first sign onto MBOS you are taken to your MBOS Retiree Home Page.

Note: If you have more than one pension account registered with MBOS, you will be presented a screen to select the account you wish to view.

The MBOS Home Page displays your information as a retired member, including the current email, mailing address, and phone number on file with the Division of Pensions and Benefits. If any of this information is incorrect, see the detailed instructions provided below on how to submit changes.

A Message Board area is included for news and updates of interest to retirees.

Also on your MBOS Home Page is the "Retired Account Applications" area.

• Here you will find buttons for calling up the various online retiree applications. These applications provide information about your pension account and link you to online application forms. Additional information about using these applications is provided in the sections below.

Access to MBOS applications is based upon the type of retirement or benefit payment in combination with the benefits provided under your former employer. Therefore, not all applications are available to all retirees.

Note: New applications (online forms, etc.) will be added as programming is completed.

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MBOS Support

If, after reading the information in this User's Guide, you still have questions about or difficulty accessing or using MBOS, registered users may contact the Division's MBOS Help Desk at 609-292-7524 or send an email.

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PART II — MBOS Retiree Applications

Navigating Between Applications

All of MBOS's Retiree Applications contain navigation buttons at the top of the page that allow you to:

• Return to your MBOS Home Page to access other MBOS applications. You should always use the "Home" button (instead of the browser's "Back" buttons) to return to your MBOS Home Page.
• Logout of MBOS and end the session. It is important that when you are finished with your MBOS session, be sure to always log out of MBOS to prevent unauthorized access to your account information.

Retiree Change of Address or email

The MBOS Home Page displays your information as a retired member, including the current mailing address, phone number, and email address on file with the Division of Pensions and Benefits.

If any of this information is incorrect, click on the highlighted text and a page will open where you can submit changes.

Address and Phone Number Changes

Click on the highlighted address or phone number to open the Change of Address page.

The Change of Address page displays the current address and provides fields where you can enter changes.

Enter your new address and/or telephone information. Then click the "Submit" button.

You will be shown a confirmation page verifying the change.

Click the "Home" button at the top of the page to return to the Home page.

email Address Changes

Click on the highlighted email address to open the email change page.

The page displays the current email address and provides fields where you can enter the new address.

Enter your new email address, then click the "Submit" button.

Click the "Home" button at the top of the page to return to the Home page and the new email address will be displayed. A confirmation email is also sent for verification purposes to the old and new email addresses.

Retired Account Information

The Retiree Account Information application allows you to view information about your personal retirement account.

To access to the application, click the "Retired Account Information" button on your MBOS Home Page.

The page that opens will show your current account information.

The first section contains member information and information about your date and type of retirement.

The second section contains allowance and deduction information about your current retirement payment.

The third section contains information about other pension related information, including Direct Deposit status, Cost-of-Living Adjustment information, and - if applicable - Health Benefits information and Pension Loan repayment status.

At the top of the Retired Account Information page is a link to a "printable version." where you can print a copy of this information to keep for your records.

Click on the "Home" button at the top of the page to exit the application and return to the MBOS Retiree Home Page.

Retirement Check Information

The second section of the Retired account Information page contains allowance and deduction information about your current retirement payment.

Also provided is a drop-down box where you can select other check dates for viewing.

To see the information about another check date, select that date from the drop-down list. A page will open with allowance and deduction information about that check date.

When you are done, click the "Return" button to exit and go back to the Retired Account Information page.

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Designation of Beneficiary

The Designation of Beneficiary application allows you to review and, if desired, change your designated beneficiary(ies) for payments upon your death for Group Life Insurance — and in some cases Pension account funds.

The Designation of Beneficiary application allows you to add, modify, or delete:

• an individual; or
• a Trust, Corporation, Organization, Charity, or Estate

To access the application, click the "Designation of Beneficiary" button on your MBOS Home Page.

The beneficiary information on file will be displayed.

Note: If beneficiary information has not been updated since before 1987, users may receive a message indicating "beneficiary information unavailable" because it is not accessible to the online system. The message includes additional instructions for contacting the NJDPB to obtain beneficiary information.

Changing Your Beneficiaries

If you wish to change, add, or modify your beneficiary information, click the "Change Beneficiaries" button. If no beneficiary information is on file, click the "Add Beneficiary" button.

A general notice regarding beneficiaries will be displayed. Click "Continue" after reviewing this information

A list of beneficiaries will appear, along with options to modify, add, or continue.

To add a beneficiary, click the "Add Beneficiary" button.

Next, select the beneficiary type - individual or trust, corporation, organization, charity, or estate.

Fill out the form that appears with your selection.

Once you have completed the form, click "Continue".

The information you added will be displayed for verification.

Click "Continue" if the information is correct.

Click "Modify" to change or delete a beneficiary, and follow the onscreen instructions.

If you have deleted a beneficiary, the word "DELETED" will appear on the verification page.

Click "Continue" to confirm the deletion.

After you have completed any additions, changes, or deletions, you will be presented with a final verification of the beneficiary information on file.

If this information is correct, click the "Submit" button to complete the process.

A link to a "Printable Version" is on the page. Please print a copy of the final information for your records.

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Statements and Letters

The Statements and Letters application allows you to send statements or letters to yourself or a third party.

To access the application, click on the "Statements and Letters" button on your MBOS Home Page.

On the page that opens, first select whether to send the letter to yourself - "Letter to Me" - or send a "Letter to a Third Party".

Next, choose the type of statement or letter you wish to send from the drop down menu.

Statement and Letter options include Federal Tax Information, State Tax Information, Health Benefits Confirmation, Name Change, Retirement Account Information, Power of Attorney, Retirement Account Information (Third Party), and Power of Attorney (Third Party).

Enter the address where you wish the statement or letter to be sent.

An optional field for a copy sent by fax is also available.

Additional information is requested for letters to a third party.

Complete the information on the form and click "Submit".

You will see a Confirmation page that your request was successfully submitted.

When you are finished, click on the "Home" button at the top of the page to exit the application and return to your MBOS Home Page.

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Electronic Funds Transfer (Direct Deposit)

The Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) application allows you to start or change an EFT or direct deposit of your monthly pension payment.

To access the application, click the "Electronic Funds Transfer" button on your MBOS Home Page.

• If you do not have Electronic Funds Transfer currently in effect, the page that opens will ask if you wish to begin a new EFT Authorization. Click the "New EFT Authorization" button to begin the process.
  
  

• If an existing Electronic Funds Transfer is currently in place, the page that opens will ask if you wish to "Update" or "Terminate" your EFT. (Note: Terminating an EFT will end the transfer or direct deposit of your payment without changing bank accounts, and you will be mailed a paper check. See below.)
  
  

If you select a "New EFT" or wish to "Update" your current EFT information, a page will open with form fields and detailed instructions on how to enter your bank information.

Please check that the requested information is correct and click the "Continue" button.

A Summary page will follow that displays the bank and account information.

To make any corrections, click the "Back" button.

Otherwise, click the "Submit" button to complete processing of your EFT request. A final confirmation page will be shown.

If you wish to terminate an existing EFT, click the "Terminate" button. (Note: Terminating an EFT will end the transfer or direct deposit without changing bank accounts, and you will be mailed a paper check).

A Summary page will display the EFT termination request.

To cancel or make changes, click the "Back" button.

Otherwise, click the "Submit" button to complete processing of your EFT Termination request. A final confirmation page will be shown and your monthly pension payment will be sent as a paper check.

When you are finished, click on the "Home" button at the top of the page to exit the application and return to your MBOS Home Page.

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Income Tax Withholding (Form W-4P)

The Income Tax Withholding application allows you to start, change, or stop Federal and/or New Jersey State Income tax withholding from your monthly pension payment by submitting a federal Form W-4P (go to details) or State Form NJ W-4P (go to details).

To access the application, click the "Income Tax Withholding" button on your MBOS Home Page.

• The page that opens will show a three year history of any retiree account Federal and New Jersey State withholding.
• A link to Fact Sheet #12, Taxation of Retirement Benefits , is also available to provide additional tax information.

To change your withholding, click the button for either the "Federal W-4P" or the "New Jersey State W-4P."

Please note: If you live outside New Jersey, you are not required to pay New Jersey income tax on the pension you receive from the retirement system. The Division of Pensions and Benefits does not withhold income tax for other states. Check with your home state's tax office to determine if your pension is taxable in your state of residence.

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Federal Form W-4P

To access the federal Form W-4P, click the "Federal W-4P" button.

The page that opens will show your current federal income tax withholding status.

• Note: IRS regulations require a default withholding status from all new retirement accounts of "Married with 3 allowances" unless/until you change your federal withholding by submitting a Form W-4P.

To STOP all federal tax withholding, select the check box to "Stop withholding all federal income tax."

A selection list will appear where you must choose a retirement check date to end withholding.

After you have selected your check date, click the "View Summary of Changes" button.

You will be shown a Summary Page on your changes. Click the "Submit W-4P Form " button to complete the process and view a Confirmation Page for this change.

To CHANGE your federal tax withholding amounts, select the check box to "Calculate federal income tax withholding...."

Selection boxes will appear where you must indicate your Marital Status for tax purposes, the Number of Allowances/Dependents, any Additional Dollar Amount you wish withheld (monthly) for Federal income tax withholding, and an effective date for the retirement check when you want the changes to take effect.

When all of the withholding information has been entered, click the "Calculate" button and you will be able to see the total monthly amount to be withheld for federal income tax.

• If you wish to further change the federal withholding amount. you can re-enter information in the fields and re-click the "Calculate" button until you are satisfied with the result.
• If you are satisfied with the new withholding calculation. click the "View Summary of Changes" button.

The "Federal W-4P Monthly Withholding Summary" page will open. Please check that the information shown is what you wish withheld monthly for federal income tax.

• If you wish to make changes, click the "Make Additional Changes" button.
• If the information is correct, click the "Submit W-4P Form" button to complete the process.

You will be shown a Confirmation Page that contains a final summary of your selections.

A link to a "Printable Version" is on the page. Please print a copy of the final information for your records.

There is also a link to go to the New Jersey State Form NJ W-4P if you wish to make changes to your New Jersey State income tax withholding.

Otherwise click on the "Home" button at the top of the page to exit the application and return to the MBOS Retiree Home Page.

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New Jersey State Form NJ W-4P

Please note:

• You may not owe New Jersey State income tax on your pension until the total of accumulated pension received is equal to the total amount of pension contributions you made while employed. See Fact Sheet #12, Taxation of Retirement Benefits , or contact the N.J. Division of Taxation for more information.
• If you live outside New Jersey, you are not required to pay New Jersey income tax on the pension you receive from the retirement system. The Division of Pensions and Benefits does not withhold income tax for other states. Check with your home state's tax office to determine if your pension is taxable in your state of residence.

To access the New Jersey State Form NJ W-4P, click the "New Jersey State W-4P" button.

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Setting up NJ State Withholding for the First Time

Because New Jersey law does not require automatic income tax withholding from your retirement benefit, the first time you enter the New Jersey State Form NJ W-4P application it will show you the page where you can begin withholding.

Enter a withholding amount. (Note: Withholding amounts for New Jersey state income tax must be in $10 increments and listed as whole dollars - no cents.)

• After you have made your selections, click the "View Summary of Changes" button.
• You will be shown a Summary Page on your changes. Please check that the information shown is correct.

• If you wish to make changes, click the "Make Additional Changes" button.
• If the information is correct, click the "Submit W-4P Form" button to complete the process.

You will be shown a Confirmation Page that contains a final summary of your selections.

A link to a "Printable Version" is on the page. Please print a copy of the final information for your records.

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Changing NJ State Withholding

To increase or reduce your current New Jersey State withholding amount, click the "New Jersey State W-4P" button.

The page that opens will show your current New Jersey State income tax withholding status.

On the NJ W-4P Page, indicate by clicking the appropriate check box whether you wish to:

• Stop all New Jersey State income tax withholding; or
• Change the withholding amount. (Note: Withholding amounts for New Jersey state income tax must be in $10 increments and listed as whole dollars - no cents.)
• You must indicate the effective date for any action by selecting a retirement check date from the drop-down list.

After you have made your selections, click the "View Summary of Changes" button.

You will be shown a Summary Page on your changes. Please check that the information shown is correct.

• If you wish to make changes, click the "Make Additional Changes" button.
• If the information is correct, click the "Submit W-4P Form" button to complete the process.

You will be shown a Confirmation Page that contains a final summary of your selections.

A link to a "Printable Version" is on the page. Please print a copy of the final information for your records.

There is also a link to go to the federal Form W-4P if you wish to make changes to your federal income tax withholding.

Otherwise click on the "Home" button at the top of the page to exit the application and return to the MBOS Retiree Home Page.

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Duplicate Form 1099-R

The Duplicate 1099-R application allows you to view or request a duplicate Form 1099-R for filing Federal or State income taxes.

To access the application, click the "Duplicate 1099-R " button on your MBOS Home Page.

• The page that opens will show the 1099-R information for the most recent tax year.
• To see information for a different tax year, select the year from the drop menu.

At the top of the page there is a link to a “Printable Version” of the information. You can click this link and print a copy for your records.

• For general tax information see Fact Sheet #12, Taxation of Retirement Benefits

For tax filing purposes, you must use an official Form 1099-R. To request an official copy of the Form 1099-R to be mailed:

• Select that the form be mailed to either yourself or to a third party;
• Enter the recipient's name and complete mailing address; and
• Click the "Submit" button to complete the duplicate request. Please allow 10 - 14 business days for duplicate processing and post office delivery.

To exit the application, click on the "Home" button at the top of the page.

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Health Benefits Programs

State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) & School Employees' Health Benefits Program (SEHBP)

The Health Benefits Programs application allows you to view health benefit account information for you and your enrolled dependents, if enrolled in the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) or the School Employees' Health Benefits Program (SEHBP).

To access the application, click the "State Health Benefits Program" or "School Employees Health Benefits Program" button on your MBOS Home Page.

You will be presented with a menu of available health benefits resources.

• Click the "Inquiry" button to review your health benefits coverage status and history.
• If the "Duplicate 1095B" button is presented, you will be able to view or request a duplicate IRS Form 1095B - the 1095B is only available to non-Medicare eligible retirees.

Health Benefits Inquiry

The first screen of Health Benefits Inquiry will present the "Subscriber/Eligibility" page. Select your account by clicking on the "Employer ID" number.

The page that opens will show your Eligibility Summary, Coverage Information, and Dependent Information.

Retiree Accounts

On the Retiree Eligibility Summary, the following information will appear:

To access additional retiree detail, click the "Retiree Information" button when it appears at the top right of the Retiree Eligibility Summary screen.

The following information will appear:

To return to the Retiree Eligibility Summary screen, hit the "Back to Subscriber Information" button at the bottom of the Retiree Information screen.

Coverage History

To view the history of your SHBP account, click the link "Click here to view coverage history".

The following information will appear:

Clicking the "Next" button will show additional pages of coverage history.

To return to the Retiree Eligibility Summary screen, hit the "Back to Subscriber Information" button at the bottom of the Previous Coverage Information page.

Dependent Information

To view details about a dependent's coverage, click on the linked name of a covered dependent.

Information about the dependent's coverage will appear:

Click the "Next" button to view additional Dependent Detail.

To return to the Eligibility Summary screen, hit the "Back to Subscriber Information" button at the bottom of the Dependent Detail screen.

COBRA Accounts

To access COBRA information (if available), hit the "COBRA Account" button when it appears at the top right side of the Eligibility Summary screen.

The following information will appear:

To access additional COBRA detail, click the "COBRA Information" button when it appears at the top right of the COBRA Eligibility Summary screen.

The following information will appear:

To return to the Eligibility Summary screen, hit the "Back to Subscriber Information" button at the bottom of the COBRA screen.

SHBP Billing Information (For retirees and COBRA enrollees)

To view information about your SHBP bill, click on one of the links under "Plan Type."

The following information will appear showing the current bill status for that plan:

Use the drop down list to select a specific Billing Period.

If there is a link in the "Type" column, clicking it will show you additional billing details.

To return to the Eligibility Summary screen, hit the "Back to Subscriber Information" button at the bottom of the Service Provider screen.

Duplicate 1095B

The Form 1095B is an Internal Revenue Service form that verifies your health benefits coverage status under the federal Affordable Care Act.

The Division of Pensions & Benefits issues the Form 1095B at the end of each year to retirees who were covered under the Retired Group of the State Health Benefits Program or School Employees' Health Benefits Program.

• Retirees who are eligible for Medicare do not receive a Form 1095B.
• The Form 1095C for active employees is issued by the employer. Contact your employer's Benefits Administration for information or to request a duplicate form.

Click the "Duplicate 1095B" button to view the form.

The Form 1095B lists coverage information that is reported to the Internal Revenue Service and must be verified on your federal income tax return.

The information is presented for viewing in the format shown.

If you would like to request a duplicate form to be mailed to you, click the check box at the bottom of the form and then the "Submit" button.

You will see confirmation of your request.

When finished, click the "Home" button to return to your MBOS Home page.

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PART III - Questions or Comments About MBOS

The Division of Pensions and Benefits wants MBOS to be a tool that its members find useful and choose to use in their career and financial planning. We have made every effort to make MBOS powerful while also keeping it easy to use. We would like to hear about how you liked using MBOS and welcome your suggestions on how MBOS could be made better for the way you work. We will try - based on the response we receive - to include the features you would like to see in future versions of MBOS. Send your questions, comments, and suggestions to the Division's MBOS development staff or you can call the MBOS Help Desk at 609-292-7524.