The Texas State Legislature voted to send a constitutional amendment to the Nov. ballot that would increase the mandatory retirement age for state judges and justices from 75 to 79—the second-highest retirement age in the country, excluding those with no mandatory retirement ages. Vermont adopted in 2003 the highest retirement age for state judges at 90.
Thirty-one states and the District of Columbia have set mandatory retirement ages ranging from 70 to 90 years of age. Texas is one of eight states with a mandatory retirement age of 75.
The Texas amendment is the second ballot measure to be certified for a future election date that would change a mandatory retirement age. In March, the New Hampshire State Legislature voted to send an amendment to the November 2024 ballot that would increase the state’s mandatory retirement age from 70 to 75.
