Superior Courts of Georgia & Judicial Councils of Georgia,

Pursuant to HB 406 (Act 264), which was passed during the 2025 Legislative Session, the retirement benefit calculations for all JRS members with a membership date on or after July 1, 2025, who have creditable service as a Superior Court Judge has changed. Specifically, for all affected members, retirement eligibility has been updated so that any JRS benefit based on service as a superior court judge is not payable until age 65.

This does not affect any non-superior court judge service. Such service is still eligible for a retirement benefit at age 60 with at least 10 years of total creditable service.

Examples:

• Any JRS member with only superior court judge service and a membership date on or after July 1, 2025, will become eligible to receive a retirement benefit at age 65
• A JRS member with a membership date on or after July 1, 2025, serves for 8 years as a state court judge, transfers to a position as a superior court judge where they serve an additional 6 years. This member will be eligible for a benefit based on all 14 years of service. If they choose to retire from JRS before age 65, they will receive a benefit based only on their 8 years of state court judge service. The balance of their benefit will be payable once the member reaches age 65.
• A district attorney, solicitor-general, state court judge, or juvenile court judge with a membership date on or after July 1, 2025, obtains 10 years of creditable service in any JRS-eligible position other than as a superior court judge would be eligible for retirement at age 60.

Monthly Employer Reporting – New Contribution Group

For any Superior Court Justice with a JRS membership date on or after July 1, 2025, use the NSC3 contribution group. There is no effect on the required contributions, either employee or employer.

For all JRS members who transfer to the Superior Courts of Georgia with a membership date on or before June 30, 2025, please continue to utilize the historical contribution group codes (NSC1, SSC1, NSC2, and SSC2) as applicable.

The new contribution group NSC3 has been added to the PeopleSoft system effective for use as of January 1, 2026.

Additionally, all information contained within, including retirement benefit and calculation examples, can be found updated in the JRS Employee Handbook, which is available on the ERSGA website.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding these changes, please reach out to the ERSGA Employer Services Division via email at ERS.ES@ers.ga.gov.