Judicial Retirement

The following information is intended to answer common Indiana judicial officer retirement questions. Judicial officers perform an important service for our state. We want to thank our judges for their time and effort in upholding the Rule of Law in Indiana. It is our hope that the below information can serve as a helpful resource for judicial officers during times of transition.

• Retirement Process & Checklist
• Your Judicial Pension
• Deferred Compensation
• Retirement Medical Benefit Account Plan (RMBA)
• Insurance
• Senior Judge Service
• Other Helpful Resources

Retirement Process and Checklist

If possible, at least six months (but in no event fewer than 90 days) before your retirement or termination date, submit your retirement application to INPRS. Follow the prompts and instructions provided and be prepared to:

• Confirm personal information – your address and personal information as requested
• Choose your retirement date and plan – provide your retirement date and retirement type as requested (options will be limited by the Plan and date entered); retirement date cannot be backdated more than 30 days before the current date
• Survivor designation – enter your survivor information as requested
• Tax notices – enter information and make selections for state, federal, and local, as applicable
• Direct deposit – provide the requested information
• Required documents – upload any additional document as applicable or as required

Submitting your retirement application well in advance of your retirement date will enable INPRS to timely set up and start your pension benefits. The Judges’ Retirement System Member Handbook is an excellent resource and can answer many of your questions.

Should you have any questions, contact the Indiana Public Retirement System (INPRS) Member Service Center at 844-GO-INPRS (844-464-6777) or by email at questions@inprs.in.gov. For TDD call 800-579-5708. Customer Service Representatives are available weekdays (excluding weekends and state-designated holidays) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Eastern).

Submit retirement application

At least 60 days or more (but in no event fewer than two weeks) before your anticipated retirement date, you should complete and submit to the Office of Judicial Administration either:

• the "Notification of Employment Status of Judge" (for judges) or
• the "Judicial Officer Payroll Assignment Form" (to be completed by the judge on behalf of state-paid magistrates)

This will provide notification of your retirement and ensure your pay is stopped timely and protect against any lapses in benefit coverages. Submission of these forms is required in the event you expect to cease regular judicial service or transition to senior judge service.

For questions regarding payroll and benefits, or in the event of extenuating circumstances, contact Valerie Brooks at 317-234-1874 or at valerie.brooks@courts.in.gov.

Get retirement forms

Your Judicial Pension: The Judges’ Retirement System

The Indiana Public Retirement System (INPRS) serves over 450,000 members representing over 1,200 employers including public universities, school corporations, municipalities, and state agencies and administers the Judges’ Retirement System (JRS). In addition, INPRS also, administers various other plans including:

• Public Employees’ Retirement Fund (PERF)
• Prosecuting Attorneys’ Retirement Fund (PARF)
• 1977 Police Officers’ and Firefighters’ Retirement Fund (‘77 Fund)
• Legislators’ Retirement System (LRS)
• Excise, Gaming and Conservation Officers’ Retirement Plan (EG&C)
• Teachers’ Retirement Fund (TRF)
• Retired Medical Benefits Account Program (RMBA)

Judicial retirees who may be eligible for benefits under one of these other plans should contact INPRS for assistance.

To initiate and assure the prompt commencement of your judicial pension payments, it is recommended that you contact INPRS (844-464-6777) at least six months (but in no event fewer than 90 days) before your retirement or termination date. At this point in the process, you have likely inquired and completed the necessary documents to start the retirement process if you are retiring.

Should you have any questions you may contact the Indiana Public Retirement System (INPRS) at 844-464-6777 or by email at questions@inprs.in.gov.

Hoosier S.T.A.R.T. Deferred Compensation Account

Judicial Officers who participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan may have several distribution options available once they terminate their employment with the State of Indiana. Please be aware that if you continue your service as a senior judge upon retiring and you currently participate in the Hoosier S.T.A.R.T. plan, your deferred compensation contributions will continue unless you contact Hoosier S.T.A.R.T. to request that they are stopped when your status changes to senior judge. Hoosier S.T.A.R.T. works with Valerie Brooks at the Office of Judicial Administration to ensure contributions are discontinued.

Questions regarding your distribution options should be referred to Hoosier S.T.A.R.T. at 1-855-277-4432 or hoosierSTART@nationwide.com. You may, also, visit the Hoosier S.T.A.R.T. Deferred Compensation website.

Learn about deferred compensation

Retirement Medical Benefit Account Plan (RMBA)

The Retirement Medical Benefits Account program (RMBA) provides eligible retired State of Indiana retirees and their spouses with funds for reimbursement of qualified healthcare insurance premiums. These may include premiums under an insurance policy for group or individual coverage of the qualified retiree and/or his or her covered dependents including medical, dental, vision, tax-qualified long-term care, Medicare supplement policy premiums; the State’s Medicare complementary policy and coverage of the qualified retiree and/or his or her covered dependents under Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D premiums. The program is funded by the State of Indiana and administered by the Indiana Public Retirement System (INPRS), and premium reimbursements are processed through Key Benefit Administrators, Inc. (KBA) and its Flex-Pro Department). Employees are not taxed on dollars they are reimbursed from RMBA. Upon retirement KBA Flex-pro sends retirees a personal packet of information which includes information on beginning account balances and claim forms. Participating retirees can thereafter check their current balance and download claim forms at flexpro.lh1ondemand.com.

For more information regarding RMBA visit:

• INPRS: State of Indiana Retirement Medical Benefits Account Plan
• Retirement Medical Benefits Account (RMBA) – INPRS - Frequently Asked Questions (zendesk.com).

To find out if you are eligible, contact INPRS at 844-464-6777. If you have questions about the reimbursement process, contact Key Benefit Administrators at 800-558-5553.

Please note: Federal regulations prohibit senior judges from withdrawing funds from their RMBA accounts during their period of senior judge service, but these funds will be again available to retired judges at the conclusion of their senior judge service or to their surviving spouses.

Insurance

COBRA Group Insurance Continuation Program

Under federal COBRA law, the State of Indiana is required to offer covered employees and eligible dependents the opportunity to continue health coverage at group rates when coverage is lost due to certain specific events. The loss of health insurance resulting from a qualified event allows all covered individuals the right to buy back group health insurance and continue the coverage for a specific period of time, under provisions of COBRA, by paying 102% of premiums which includes a 2% administration charge. Once your termination date has been entered into the benefit system, State Personnel Benefits will mail your COBRA packet within two weeks of your termination date. For more information contact the State Personnel Benefits Hotline at 317-232-1167 or spdbenefits@spd.in.gov.

Early Retiree Insurance Program

This Program is available to retiring judicial officers who meet certain requirements including being under the age of 65. This program permits qualified participants to continue receiving State of Indiana health coverage until becoming eligible for Medicare. A qualified retiree can choose to participate in this group plan by submitting an application provided by the State Personnel Department within 90 days after the date of his/her retirement. Qualified retirees may participate in this program, until they are eligible for Medicare, by paying 100% of the combined employee AND employer premiums for this coverage. State Personnel Benefits will determine eligibility at time of retirement and will mail a “blue” form, which is usually sent after the COBRA packet has been mailed, to those who meet eligibility requirements.

For more information contact the State Personnel Benefits Hotline at 317-232-1167 or spdbenefits@spd.in.gov.

Senior Judge Service

Many retired judges serve as senior judges throughout the state. Retiring and retired judges may apply to participate in Indiana's Senior Judge Program in which senior judges serve 30-100 days per year as substitute or supplementary judges in various Indiana courts. Senior judge service provides the opportunity to stay involved, to enjoy personal satisfaction from continued judicial service, and to serve your judicial colleagues—all while affording you the opportunity to earn part-time compensation and participate in various State group insurance programs.

Additional information and forms related to the senior judge program may be found at the senior judge website. For general questions regarding the senior judge program and benefits, contact Valerie Brooks at 317-234-1874 or valerie.brooks@courts.in.gov. Questions regarding the completion and submission of senior judge claims and/or the Senior Judge Portal should be directed to Yolanda Collins at 317-232-7759 or yolanda.collins@courts.in.gov.

If you are interested in serving as a senior judge and you have not already completed the items necessary for certification and enrollment, please contact Office of Judicial and Attorney Regulations at 317-232-4706 or jqcinquiry@courts.in.gov . You may, also, contact Heather Falks at 317-234-2620 or heather.falks@courts.in.gov.

Senior Judge Benefits

• Compensation at $175 per day for the first 30 days served per year, and $250 per day for service in excess of 30 days but limited to 100 total days per year. Senior judge service may be performed remotely or on-site in courtrooms. Travel expenses are reimbursed in most circumstances if you travel outside of your home county.
• Eligibility for participation in the State’s group medical, dental, vision, and/or basic term life insurance programs.
• Issuance of a State laptop computer with access to Odyssey, “Judges’ Edition,” INcite, the senior judge Portal, Zoom, and various other Court digital resources (subject to availability).
• Ability to attend judicial education programs and to qualify for attendance at the annual fall meeting of the Indiana Judicial Conference and to earn CLE credits.
• Access to the Senior Judge Portal, a digital tool that assists trial courts to find and contact senior judges, enables senior judges to log, track, and report their service days, and provides other helpful information.

Compensation claims for senior judge Service must be filed within 30 days of service, preferably using the Senior Judge Portal. For further information, see Administrative Rule 5 and the senior judge handbook. To maintain your eligibility for senior judge service benefits, you must serve for a period of at least 30 days each year and be recertified each year.

Read the Senior Judge Handbook

Reminder: Due to federal regulations senior judges are prohibited from using their RMBA funds to reimburse medical insurance premiums during their period of senior judge service, but these funds can again be available to retired judges at the conclusion of their senior judge service or to their surviving spouses.

Certification Procedure

To become a senior judge, you must apply for certification to the Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC). After downloading and completing the Application for Certification, upload it to the courts portal. You should submit your Certification or Recertification Application before November 30 of the year prior to your intended year of senior judge service. Senior judges are certified beginning in December for the coming year.

Please note: Following certification, new senior judge applicants will receive a Senior Judge packet that will include important information and instructions on how to navigate in the Senior Judge Portal (SJP) to submit claims. In addition, instructions on how to change your payroll direct deposit information as well as forms to update your federal and/or state tax withholding(s), since senior judges earn substantially less than a regular sitting judge, will be included.

Concluding Senior Judge Service

A person electing to conclude their service as a senior judge must consider the following steps:

• Return all state-owned computers and equipment and disengage from all Court digital services. Contact Robin Meyers at 317-233-0546 or robin.meyers@courts.in.gov.
• On the Profile screen of the Senior Judge Portal click the checkbox next to “I intend to terminate my senior judge status…” and click the calendar icon or type in the last day as senior judge. Click the “Save Changes” button to save the entry. This will notify the Office of Judicial Administration that your pay and benefits should be stopped as well as notify INPRS/HRPro that you qualify to have access to remaining RMBA funds.

Other Helpful Resources

Indiana Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program (JLAP)

Judicial service and the practice of law is meaningful and rewarding, but at times it can also be stressful and overwhelming. Over the course of their careers, judges and lawyers sometimes face challenges in their personal and professional lives that can impact their mental health or well-being. These challenges need not be faced alone. JLAP serves judges, lawyers, and law students by promoting well-being, improving lives, fostering connection, and elevating professional competence. Judges experiencing depression or substance use disorders may tend to be reluctant to seek help. JLAP provides confidential assistance for these and other issues.

For information about receiving help for oneself or a colleague, see the JLAP website for more information and to download the JLAP brochure. JLAP may be contacted at 317-833-0370 or 866-428-5527. Your call is confidential and JLAP services are free.

Visit the JLAP website

Retired Indiana Public Employees Association (RIPEA)

The Indiana Legislature created the Retired Indiana Public Employees Association, RIPEA, in 1972. It offers exclusive supplemental insurance to its members who can obtain special group rates on dental, vision, long-term care, home healthcare, life insurance and other policies. It is a not-for-profit corporation that represents the interest of PERF retirees. RIPEA is governed by a board of directors, which consists of retirees and active employee members of PERF, who understand the needs and desires of retirees. Brief biographical sketches of board members are on the RIPEA website.

RIPEA is supported by membership dues paid by members. Currently, membership dues are $18 annually; however, if membership dues are deducted from the retiree’s January pension check or charged to a credit or debit card each year, that amount is reduced to $15. There are over 44,000 RIPEA members.

If you have questions or would like more information regarding group benefits that are offered through RIPEA, call their office at 800-345-9214 or contact RIPEA online.

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

The State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) provide local, extensive, and objective insurance counseling and assistance to Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers. It is a free and impartial counseling program for those who have Medicare or will soon become eligible for Medicare. SHIP is staffed by a crew of volunteer counselors with intensive training and is not affiliated with any insurance company or agency and does not sell insurance.

If you have questions regarding Medicare, you may contact a SHIP Counselor by calling 1-800-452-4800.

At the time you elect to enroll in Medicare, you will use the CMS L564E form to confirm employment and continuous benefits. Once you have completed the employee section of the form, you should send the form to State Personnel Benefits for them to complete the Employer portion. Contact State Personnel Benefits at 317-232-1167 or by email at spdbenefits@spd.in.gov for questions regarding the form.

Get the Medicare L564E form

Information for Survivors of Retired Judicial Officers

In the unfortunate event that a current or former Indiana judicial officer should pass away, Valerie Brooks, Benefits Manager, is a resource who can provide guidance during this difficult time. She can direct surviving dependents and beneficiaries to the appropriate individuals or departments, who handle benefits in which a survivor of a retired judicial officer may be entitled and can be reached at 317-234-1874 or valerie.brooks@courts.in.gov.

As a reminder, you should keep important documents organized and tell your beneficiaries where they can be located to aid in the process. Make sure you update your beneficiary designations in People Soft if you have not already. See instructions for updating PeopleSoft.

An excellent resource for surviving dependents is made available by the Indiana State Personnel Department and includes

• Information on grief assistance and counseling
• Contacts for the state benefit plan and survivor benefits, including Social Security Administration
• Other important documents and information

The current version of the Indiana State Personnel Department’s online “Survivor Resource List” is another helpful “At a Glance” resource available to survivors of state judicial officers.

Access the survivor resource list