79R10446 DLF-F


By:  West                                                         H.B. No. 1079



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the eligibility of certain judges to retire with full 
benefits. 
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 834.101(a), Government Code, is amended 
to read as follows:
	(a)  A member is eligible to retire and receive a base 
service retirement annuity if the member:
		(1)  is at least 65 years old, currently holds a 
judicial office, and has at least 10 years of service credited in 
the retirement system;
		(2)  is at least 65 years old and has at least 12 years 
of service credited in the retirement system, regardless of whether 
the member currently holds a judicial office; [or]
		(3)  has at least 20 years of service credited in the 
retirement system, regardless of whether the member currently holds 
a judicial office; or
		(4)  has served at least two full terms on an appellate 
court and the sum of the member's age and amount of service credited 
in the retirement system equals or exceeds the number 70, 
regardless of whether the member currently holds a judicial office.
	SECTION 2.  Section 839.101(a), Government Code, is amended 
to read as follows:
	(a)  A member is eligible to retire and receive a service 
retirement annuity if the member:
		(1)  is at least 65 years old, currently holds a 
judicial office, and has at least 10 years of service credited in 
the retirement system;
		(2)  is at least 65 years old and has at least 12 years 
of service credited in the retirement system, regardless of whether 
the member currently holds a judicial office;
		(3)  is at least 55 years old and has at least 20 years 
of service credited in the retirement system, regardless of whether 
the member currently holds a judicial office; or
		(4)  has served all or part of at least three [two full] 
terms on an appellate court and the sum of the member's age and 
amount of service credited in the retirement system equals or 
exceeds the number 70, regardless of whether the member currently 
holds a judicial office.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.