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HomeGovernment CodeCh. 11Art. 3.5§ 75070 Judge Retirement Benefit Options

§ 75070 Judge Retirement Benefit Options

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 75070 Judge Retirement Benefit Options

Key Takeaways

  • •Judges can choose to get a smaller retirement pay so their family can get money after they die.
  • •They have to pick this option within 30 days after they get their first retirement check.
  • •If they qualify for a special family money plan, the smaller pay choice only affects the extra money they get, not the whole amount.

Example

A judge retires and wants to make sure their spouse gets money after they pass away.

The judge can choose to get less money each month while they are alive so that their spouse can keep getting some money after the judge dies. But the judge has to tell the retirement system in writing within 30 days of getting their first retirement check.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 75070 Judge Retirement Benefit Options

In lieu of electing the unmodified allowance for his or her life alone, a judge may elect to have the actuarial equivalent of his or her retirement allowance as of the date of retirement applied to a lesser retirement allowance, in accordance with one of the optional settlements specified in Section 75071 when the judge retires on or before December 31, 2017, or Section 75071.5 when the judge retires on or after January 1, 2018. That election, revocation, or change of election shall be made by a writing filed with the Judges’ Retirement System within 30 calendar days after the making of the first payment on account of any retirement allowance. If a person qualifies for the survivor allowance under Section 75077 or 75096.3, then the election with respect to any optional settlement other than the optional settlement in subdivision (a) of Section 75071 or subdivision (b) of Section 75071.5, shall apply only to the portion of the retirement allowance that exceeds the amount of the allowance deemed payable to the survivor. (Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 199, Sec. 40. (AB 2404) Effective January 1, 2017.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

retirementallowancebenefitportdeathsurvivorelectionsettlement

Related Statutes

  • § 75071.5 Judicial Retirement Benefit Options
  • § 75070.5 Judge Beneficiary Allowance Limits
  • § 75093 Surviving Spouse Judicial Allowance
  • § 20969.2 Furlough Service Credit Protection
  • § 75031.5 Military Service Credit Election

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 75070.
View Official Source