New Jersey ABP and ACTS Programs

You have the opportunity to participate in either an Equitable 403(b) or 401(a) retirement plan to help you build assets for the future in a way that is convenient and flexible. Have question? Call (732) 452-7200 to speak with a local New Jersey Equitable Advisors financial professional or click here to set up a meeting today.

  • Top Questions – see what others in NJ Higher Education are asking
    Q: How do I enroll in a plan?

    A: Contact your Equitable Advisors campus representative or enroll online:  403(b) online enrollment | 401(a) online enrollment

    Q: Can I take a hardship withdrawal against the ABP 401(a) plan?

    A: No, hardship withdrawals are only available with the 403(b)/ACTS plan if you qualify.

    Q: If I have an existing loan, can I take a subsequent loan.

    A: You can take a subsequent loan only if you pay off the existing loan plus interest.  Contact 800 628-6673 for the loan payoff amount.  

    Q: I was just hired... when can I take a loan against my ABP account.  

    A: You are eligible to take a loan once you are vested in the ABP pension which occurs in your 13 month of employment or your 3rd semester.  

    Q: If I close my ABP pension account, will it affect my TPAF pension? 

    (Example scenario:  I am a public school teacher and I have been a Teachers Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAFA) member for the past 15 years.   I just earned a doctorate in Education Leadership and I am moving to a new school district in the fall and I will be an assistant principal.  Over the past couple of years I have also been moonlighting at the local community college.  Unfortunately they are not offering the class I teach any longer.) 

    A:  Yes, if you take any monies out of your ABP account, you will forgo future participation in the ABP and you will be barred from continuing your membership in the TPAF.

    Q: If I have an Equitable 403(b) plan in my K12 school district, but I also teach some college classes.  Can I have the ABP and 403(b) ACTS monies from my work in the colleges be deposited in my K12 school district 403(b)?  

    A: The ABP pension is a group pension with the state of NJ and the 403(b) ACTS is an agreement with your NJHE employer, so you would have to set up separate Equitable accounts specific to your NJHE employer.  Contact your local Equitable campus representative to help you complete your enrollment in the ABP and/or 403(b) ACTS plan.  

    Q: If I work at one NJHE institution and will also be teaching at a new NJHE institutions this fall, can I have contributions from the new NJHE institution be directed to the employer that I have been with the longest?  

    A:  If you are an active employee at multiple NJHE employers, you would have to have separate ABP and/or 403b ACTS accounts at each employer.  Contact your original Equitable representative to help you complete your enrollment at the new NJHE Institution.

    Q: I am a retired NJ pension member (TPAF, PFRS, PERS, JRS, NJSP) ,and I am taking pension payments.  This fall, I am teaching a class at the local community college.  Can I participate in the ABP pension?

    A: Since you are taking pension payments, you can no longer participate in any NJ state pension.  You can, though, contribute to a 403(b) ACTS plan that is available through your NJHE employer.  Contact your local Equitable campus representative to help you complete your enrollment in the 403(b) ACTS plan.

    Q: How do I take out a loan?

    A: Here you’ll find an overview of the loan application and repayment process, and you can access the EQUI-VEST loan application form here, as well.

    Q: Do clients have to set up a separate 403b Roth account with Equitable Financial if the employer permits 403b Roth deductions?

    A: No, the Equitable Financial 403b ACTS plan accepts both pre-tax and Roth 403b contributions within the same account and will display them separately within the same account.

    Q: If I am under age 55, a vested ABP member and have stopped working for my NJHE employer, can I withdraw or rollover my entire ABP 401(a) pension account balance?

    A: According to the plan guidelines set by the NJ Division of Pension and Benefits, ABP members under age 55 can only access their contributions to the plan.  The employer-matched monies can be withdrawn or rolled over at age 55.

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Our experienced financial professionals can work closely with you to help you design a retirement strategy that meets your specific needs, goals and risk tolerance. They can also set up periodic financial check-ups to review your strategy and make any necessary changes.  Whether you attend an educational seminar, sit down face-to-face with a financial professional or communicate over the phone, getting advice from a professional may help you retire with confidence. 

New Jersey financial professionals are available for your assistance at (732) 452-7200 or complete the form below to set up an appointment today.

Please keep in mind that there is risk of substantial loss of principal because the investor agrees to absorb all losses that exceed the protection provided by the SIO at maturity.

The actual Performance Cap Rate will not be known by the investor prior to the Segment start date.

Variable annuities are long-term financial products designed for retirement purposes. In essence, an annuity is a contractual agreement in which payments are made to an insurance company, which agrees to pay out an income or a lump sum amount at a later date. There are fees and charges associated with variable annuities, which include, but are not limited to, mortality and expense risk charges, sales and surrender charges, administrative fees, and charges for optional benefits. The variable investment options offered in this contract will fluctuate in value and are subject to market risk, including loss of principal. 

All guarantees described herein are subject to the claims-paying ability of Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company. Guarantees do not apply to variable investment options. 

Because this EQUI-VEST Strategiessm annuity contract would be used to fund a retirement plan, participants should be aware that such annuities do not provide tax deferral benefits beyond those already provided by the Internal Revenue Code. Before purchasing, individuals should consider whether its features and benefits beyond tax deferral meet their needs and goals. Participants may also want to consider the relative features, benefits and costs of this annuity with any other investment that they may use in connection with their employer’s retirement plan or arrangement. 

Certain types of contracts, features and benefits may not be available in all jurisdictions or in all 403(b) or 457 plans. 

Please be advised that this information is not intended as legal or tax advice. Accordingly, any tax information provided on this page is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. The tax information was written to support the promotion or marketing of the transaction(s) or matter(s) addressed and participants should seek advice based on their particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor. Equitable, Equitable Advisors, and Equitable Distributors do not provide tax or legal advice. 

EQUI-VEST® is a registered service mark and Strategiessm is a service mark of Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company, New York, NY 10104. EQUI VEST® Strategiessm is issued by Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company. Co-distributed by Equitable Advisors, LLC and Equitable Distributors, LLC (member FINRA, SIPC). 

Contract form #s: 2003-GAC 401(a) and 2003-GAC 403(b). 

The obligations of Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company are backed solely by its claims-paying ability.

GE-4953773.1 (02/2023) (Exp. 02/2025)