Retirement rules count district attorney service at age 65

District attorneys in office on July 1, 2026, may choose a new pay arrangement. The choice applies to district attorneys, including interim district attorneys, who are in office on July 1, 2026. The choice is voluntary and becomes final once made. Those who choose it receive the state salary and any allowed locality pay instead of compensation under the prior rules. Those who do not choose it keep their June 30, 2026, compensation arrangement. The choice must be filed by January 1, 2030, and takes effect at the next pay period that begins at least five business days later.

Count district attorney service in retirement benefits once a member reaches age 65. This rule applies to Judicial Retirement System members who first join on or after July 1, 2026. Before age 65, the calculation uses covered service other than service as a district attorney or superior court judge. The section also sets the general requirements of at least age 60 and ten years of creditable service to receive a retirement benefit. The age 65 calculation applies when the member reaches 65, including if that happens after retirement.

Pause some local pay rules that tie other public workers’ pay to district attorneys’ pay. The pause covers existing local laws, ordinances, and resolutions that link public officers’ or employees’ pay to a district attorney’s pay. The pause does not cover local rules adopted after July 1, 2026, and does not affect circuit public defenders’ pay. The pause ends for judges on July 1, 2027; it remains for others until their pay is changed through an authorized action. No worker receives back pay for a period covered by the pause. The suspension starts July 1, 2026. It ends for judges July 1, 2027, and no earlier end date is set for other covered workers.