Employer Log-In
Home
Judicial Retirement System
The Judicial Retirement System (JRS) is a defined benefit plan administered by the Virginia Retirement System. Membership is a condition of employment for eligible members.
Service Credit
JRS members earn two and one-half years of service credit for each year of full-time service as a judge. Judges who are elected or appointed to an original or subsequent term prior to January 1, 1995 earn three and one-half years of service for each year of full-time service.
Eligibility
Members become vested after five years of creditable service with JRS. Members become eligible for unreduced retirement benefits at age 65 with five years of service credit or at age 60 if they have 30 years of credited service. Members may retire with a reduced benefit as early as age 55 if they have at least five years of credited service. For early retirements, the benefit is reduced one-half percent per month for the first 60 months and four-tenths percent for each additional month the member is short of meeting age or service requirements for an unreduced benefit.
Amount of Benefit
The amount of the benefit is based on age at retirement, years of service and the average of the 36 consecutive months of highest compensation. The amount of the benefit is 1.7 percent of average final compensation multiplied by years of service credit, with a reduction factor applied in the case of early retirement. JRS members who are elected or appointed to an original or subsequent term after July 1, 1993 must retire at age 70. The maximum benefit amount is capped at 78 percent of average final compensation.
Back to top
