Legislative win means more money for disabled rail workers in New Jersey

Thanks to the efforts of SMART-TD, railroad workers in New Jersey who receive disability payments under the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA) are protected from increases to their property tax bills. These so-called “homesteader reimbursements” have long protected social security recipients but inadvertently missed railroaders who are covered by different laws.  

New Jersey State Safety & Legislate Director Ron Sabol explains the loophole.

“We’ve had permanently disabled railroad workers on permanent railroad retirement disability benefits denied the homestead rebate program because of the way the law reads. That’s not right, ” he said. “Our members and all railroad workers in New Jersey have paid their dues and deserve to be able to take advantage of a program that’s utilized by many of their friends and neighbors.” 

The bill, with SMART-TD’s backing, received unanimous support in the New Jersey legislature and was signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy on March 6, 2025. 

Read the legislation ► 

A-1672/S-1285 adds disabled railroad workers to the pool of people eligible for New Jersey’s existing Senior Freeze Program.

Union Legislative Directors Safeguard Railroad Workers’ Benefits 

SMART-TD was involved in promoting the bill from the beginning. First introduced in January 2024, it took some time for the bill to gain momentum and start moving.  

With 2025 on the horizon, SLD Sabol was determined that the legislation move swiftly through the remaining committees and reach the governor’s desk for his signature. Sabol knew the change was long overdue. 

“All railroaders that sacrificed their time on the railroad, they end up either disabled from a work-related injury or from a sickness of some kind that puts them on permanent railroad retirement benefits. They weren’t entitled to the same things that other disabled persons in New Jersey were,” Sabol explained. “So, we made that change happen.”  

Congratulations to SLD Sabol on his legislative victory and thank you to every Safety and Legislative Director for your vigilance. All of our brothers and sisters are better off because of your hard work!