2025 Session Last amended: 2019 session

§ 490.126 — Procedures

Plain-Language Summary

This section covers the procedures for judge retirement, including compulsory retirement, voluntary retirement, and applying for benefits. A judge who wants to retire voluntarily applies in writing to the governor, who orders the retirement — which creates a vacancy in the judgeship. Applications for retirement annuities or refunds must be submitted to the Minnesota State Retirement System with proof of age and service records. Retirement annuities cannot be assigned or seized by creditors.

Practical Notes
Judges seeking voluntary retirement must go through the governor’s office, not just the retirement system. The vacancy created by a judge’s retirement triggers the judicial appointment process. The anti-assignment rule protects retirement annuities from garnishment or assignment, which is an important protection for retired judges.