Extends membership in TPAF to 15 years after discontinuance of service.

This bill extends the period during which teachers can remain members of New Jersey's Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund to 15 years after leaving their job, increasing the previous limit of 10 years. Under the new rules, if a teacher stops working for more than 15 consecutive years, their membership in the pension system will end, and they will lose the ability to return to service or claim certain retirement benefits. The legislation also updates how service time is calculated for retirement purposes, ensuring that credits are finalized unless the member leaves the workforce for over 15 years without returning. These changes directly affect educators who take extended breaks from teaching and wish to maintain their eligibility for future pension benefits.