AARP New Jersey Disappointed FY27 Budget Falls Short on Stay NJ Promise, Despite Key Investments in Affordability

TRENTON, NJ—Chris Widelo, State Director at AARP New Jersey, issued the following statement in response to the FY27 New Jersey State Budget:

"As older New Jerseyans continue to face rising costs for housing, utilities, health care, property taxes, and other everyday essentials, making our state more affordable remains critically important. While the FY27 budget includes several important investments that support older adults, we are disappointed that it falls short of maintaining the full Stay NJ property tax relief benefit that older New Jerseyans were promised for 2026.

"The final budget provides a 25 percent reduction in this year's Stay NJ benefit across the board, rather than maintaining the maximum benefit for those who need it most. Many older homeowners have already planned their household finances around the expectation of receiving the full benefit. Receiving less relief than promised will make it harder for many New Jerseyans living on fixed and moderate incomes to keep up with rising costs.

"We are also disappointed by the lack of transparency surrounding the final budget negotiations. Initial public reports suggested a different outcome for Stay NJ than what ultimately appeared in the budget language, which was released only shortly before lawmakers voted. Older New Jerseyans deserve a transparent budget process and a clear understanding of changes that directly affect their finances.

"At the same time, we appreciate that the budget preserves several priorities that strengthen affordability and financial security. It preserves the full ANCHOR and Senior Freeze property tax relief programs, fully funds the state pension system, maintains funding for PAAD and Senior Gold to help older adults afford prescription medications, preserves the $95 minimum SNAP benefit while helping counties meet increased administrative costs, provides the final year of state support needed to launch RetireReady NJ before the program becomes self-sustaining next year, and protects funding for Home and Community-Based Services that help older adults remain safely in their homes and communities, rejecting efforts to shift those dollars to an industry that has yet to demonstrate why additional unrestricted taxpayer funding is warranted.

"The conversation about Stay NJ is far from over. While the budget agreement restores the maximum benefit for eligible homeowners beginning in 2027, older New Jerseyans deserve certainty—not shifting promises that make it difficult to plan their finances. AARP New Jersey will continue working with state leaders to protect Stay NJ and ensure the maximum benefit is delivered to those who need it most while advancing policies that make it easier for people to age with dignity, independence, and financial security in the Garden State."

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About AARP New Jersey
AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose  how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most  to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health and financial security, and personal fulfillment.  AARP also produces the nation's largest-circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.