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How old must a US Supreme Court Justice be in order to retire after 10 years on the bench?
Answer
If a justice has only ten years federal judicial service, he or she must be at least 70 years old to retire with full pension.
Explanation
Congress first offered retirement benefits for Supreme Court justices in the Judiciary Act of 1869. At the time, justices age 70 or older who had served 10 years or more in the federal judiciary, were granted their existing salary as a pension on retirement.
In 1954, Congress changed this provision to allow retirement at age 65, with 15 years or more of service.
In 1984, the retirement rules for Supreme Court justices were relaxed to require a minimum 10 years of service, but to allow retirement with full pension at any age, as long as the justice's age and years of service, combined, total 80 or more. If a justice has only ten years federal judicial service, he or she must be at least 70 years old to retire with full benefits.
There is no retirement age for US Supreme Court justices; they receive a lifetime commission, provided they don't commit impeachable offenses.
There are currently no age requirements mandating retirement of Supreme Court justices, although Congress has entertained legislation hoping to encourage earlier retirement in the past. Their efforts are hampered by a constitutional provision of Article III that says justices shall "hold their offices during good behavior," (meaning "for life") which prevents Congress from mandating retirement unless the justice becomes mentally incapacitated.
Both Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., and Justice John Paul Stevens served on the US Supreme Court until they were 90 years old.
Some states require their supreme court justices retire at a certain age, which varies by state.
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Who is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court today in Alberta Canada?
There is no court styled the Supreme Court for the province of Alberta.The Court of Appeal of Alberta, the provincial court of last appeal, is led by the Honourable Madam Justice Catherine Fraser, the Chief Justice of Alberta. The Court of Queen's Bench for Alberta, the superior-level court, is led by the Honourable Mr. Justice N.C. Whitmann, the Chief Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench.
What is the term of office for supreme court justice's and when may they be removed?
Supreme Court justices have lifetime appointments--most of them retire, but they can stay on the bench until they die like William Rehnquist did. They can be impeached, but that's the only way to get rid of one. The only justice to have ever been impeached was Samuel Chase, who was acquitted. Samuel Chase was nominated to the Court by George Washington.
Who resigned from the US Supreme Court in 2009?
Sonia SotomayorPresident Obama nominated Sonia Sotomayor on May 26, 2009, to replace retired Justice David H. Souter. Justice Sotomayor was confirmed by the Senate on August 6, and sworn-in on August 8, 2009. She began sitting with the Court immediately prior to the 2009-2010 Term.Justice Sotomayor was the third woman appointed to the Supreme Court, and the first Latina justice in the Court's history.
Which US Supreme Court justices are not married?
Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan are the only unmarried justices on the current Court (as of September 23, 2010). Justice David Souter, whom Sotomayor succeeded on the bench in 2009, was also unmarried.
How long has Stephen Breyer been a US Supreme Court justice?
President Bill Clinton nominated Stephen Breyer to replace Justice Harry Blackmun, who retired in 1994. Breyer joined the US Supreme Court in August 1994; as of January 2010, he has served more than fifteen years on the bench.
What kind of job security does a supreme court justice have?
As good as it gets. They remain on the bench until they choose to retire, or die.
Who is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court today in Alberta Canada?
There is no court styled the Supreme Court for the province of Alberta.The Court of Appeal of Alberta, the provincial court of last appeal, is led by the Honourable Madam Justice Catherine Fraser, the Chief Justice of Alberta. The Court of Queen's Bench for Alberta, the superior-level court, is led by the Honourable Mr. Justice N.C. Whitmann, the Chief Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench.
Were there any African-Americans on the US Supreme Court in 1993?
Justice Clarence Thomas replaced Justice Thurgood Marshall on the US Supreme Court in 1991, and remains on the Court today. He was on the bench in 1993.
What is the term of office for supreme court justice's and when may they be removed?
Supreme Court justices have lifetime appointments--most of them retire, but they can stay on the bench until they die like William Rehnquist did. They can be impeached, but that's the only way to get rid of one. The only justice to have ever been impeached was Samuel Chase, who was acquitted. Samuel Chase was nominated to the Court by George Washington.
What is the term of office for Supreme Court justice When May they be removed?
Supreme Court justices have lifetime appointments--most of them retire, but they can stay on the bench until they die like William Rehnquist did. They can be impeached, but that's the only way to get rid of one. The only justice to have ever been impeached was Samuel Chase, who was acquitted. Samuel Chase was nominated to the Court by George Washington.
What must a supreme court justice do in order to stay on the bench?
A Supreme Court justice must remain above reproach in his or her personal life. Justices can be impeached if they are guilty of moral turpitude or crimes of law.
Was Clarence Thomas the first African-American Supreme Court justice?
No. Justice Thurgood Marshall was the first African-American on the US Supreme Court. Justice Clarence Thomas is the second African-American US Supreme Court justice. President George HW Bush nominated him in 1991 to replace Thurgood Marshall, who was retiring. Justice Thomas is an incumbent on the bench.
Who was the first American supreme court justice that was Catholic?
Roger Taney was the first Supreme Court justice who was Catholic. He was nominated to the bench by Andrew Jackson and served until 1864. He was also the fifth chief justice in the US.
Which Georgia native currently serves on the US Supreme Court?
President George HW Bush appointed Justice Clarence Thomas to the US Supreme Court in October 1991. He is currently an incumbent on the bench.
Can a US Supreme Court justice be removed for mental incompetence?
No. Mental incompetence isn't an impeachable offense, so it is possible for a Supreme Court justice to remain on the bench even if he (or she) is not capable of fully functioning in the position. On the known occasions this has been an issue in the past, the affected justice was encouraged to retire or go on a prolonged vacation. A few justices have continued serving when their mental faculties were dwindling, as some speculate was the case with William Cushing (1789-1810).
Which justice announced retirement from the US Supreme Court in 2005?
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor announced her retirement in 2005, but remained on the bench until the end of January 2006.
Was John Marshall the longest serving justice on the Supreme Court?
No. Justice William O. Douglas served more than 36 years on the US Supreme Court, and has the distinction of being the longest-serving justice. John Marshall was the longest-serving Chief Justice, marking more than 34 years on the bench (1801-1835).
