NCJ Number
96360
Date Published
1984
Length
109 pages
Annotation
This 1984 survey covers judicial retirement provisions of every State, the District of Columbia, and the Federal system. Recent changes in provisions governing retirement are highlighted.
Abstract
In summary, many States are adopting mandatory retirement laws for judges, usually at age 70. Contributions made by judges to retirement plans have remained steady since 1980, and only nine States along with the Federal government provide full funding of retirement programs. Most States give judges who retire because of disability full pensions and allow retired judges to serve on a reserve basis. A notable change in the last few years is increased layering of judicial pension plans, so that changes effect only judges who take the bench after the date of enactment. The survey for each State and the Federal system provides information on eight topics: (1) judges covered by the plan; (2) age and service requirements for benefit eligibility; (3) contributions made to the fund by judges and the State; (4) formula for determining retirement benefits; (5) disability benefits; (6) death benefits; (7) provisions for service as a judge or lawyer after retirement; and (8) citation to the retirement provisions. Tables compare retirement benefits among States, as well as list judges' contributions to retirement plans, death benefits, disability benefits, and mandatory retirement ages.