TRENTON, N.J. — A recent report shows that some volunteer firefighters are collecting taxpayer-funded retirement accounts despite not responding to enough calls or holding the proper certifications to qualify.
NJ.com reported that municipalities can make deposits into tax-deferred accounts for volunteer firefighters who earn enough credits by responding to calls and other work during the year. Members can earn a maximum $1,150 from any one municipality in a year, and are vested after five years of earning contributions.
However, in four townships, nearly two-thirds of money contributed was done in error, including deposits for more than 100 people who were either not active or didn’t qualify. The report did not look at all of the more than 400 volunteer departments in the state and said “the potential for further waste is significant.”
“To truly honor the intentions of this important program, we need to make sure its benefits are reserved for those men and women who qualify because of their service,” acting state Comptroller Marc Larkins said.
The investigation found 41 volunteers with accounts of more than $400,000 whose participation in the program appeared questionable, according to the report. Fifteen of those volunteers had already withdrawn $200,000 from the accounts.
In response to the report, the squad objected to the findings and blamed its own coordinator for providing information to the office that was “incomplete or wrong.”
In all, the report found more than $700,000 had been inappropriately contributed on behalf of members or that should be reclaimed by the four townships because it was in accounts of volunteers who were no longer eligible to receive benefits.