GEORGE A. WILHELM VS. RYDER LOGISTICS & TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS, ET AL. (NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT) (CONSOLIDATED) (A-3770-18/A-3792-18/A-3797-18/A-3798-18)
In this case of first impression in New Jersey, the court considers whether N.J.S.A. 34:15-95.5 requires a triennial redetermination of petitioners' combined awards of state workers' compensation total disability benefits and social security disability benefits (SSD) as is done under 42 U.S.C. § 424a.
Under both N.J.S.A. 34:15-95.5 and 42 U.S.C. § 424a, a petitioner is limited to the amount they can simultaneously collect from SSD and state workers' compensation benefits. If the combined monthly total benefits of SSD and state workers' compensation benefits exceeds eighty percent of the petitioner's pre-disability average current earnings (ACE), SSD is reduced. Under 42 U.S.C. § 424a, Social Security receives the benefit of the offset.
In 1980, New Jersey enacted a law authorizing the reduction of the workers' compensation award instead of SSD when determining the simultaneous collectability of benefits. Therefore, New Jersey is a reverse offset state, meaning that the employer, insurance carrier, or Second Injury Fund gets the benefit of the offset, not Social Security.
42 U.S.C. § 424a(f) requires a triennial redetermination of benefits. N.J.S.A. 34:15-95.5 does not. Petitioners contend our Legislature intended to adopt the federal triennial redetermination provision. However, the plain language of N.J.S.A. 34:15-95.5 does not include a redetermination of benefits. And the legislative history is similarly silent. See Sponsor's & Lab. Comm. Statement to A. 1206 1-17 (L.1980, c. 83). Moreover, 42 U.S.C. § 424a(d) explicitly states that a triennial redetermination is not applicable in reverse offset states.
Because our Legislature did not include a cost-of-living increase in the statute, and the federal statute exempts reverse offset states from reviewing its benefits triennially, we affirm the order denying a redetermination of benefits and for the reimbursement of overpayment of benefits.
