Christine Minsavage v. Board of Trustees, Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (081507) (Statewide)

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey reversed the Appellate Division and remanded, holding that a widow may modify a deceased member’s pension retirement application even though the application was never approved, provided she shows good cause, reasonable grounds, and reasonable diligence, and that the Board’s reliance on the regulation prohibiting retroactive disability applications was unreasonable. The Court emphasized liberal construction of pension statutes and the agency’s power to reopen proceedings for essential justice.