West Virginia committee approves salary increases for judges under Senate Bill 589

The West Virginia Senate Pensions Committee convened on March 24, 2025, to discuss key legislative matters, primarily focusing on Senate Bill 589. The meeting began with a brief introduction and confirmation of committee members present, including Stacy Nowicki Eldridge and David Hammer.

The first item on the agenda was Senate Bill 589, which was presented for discussion. Counsel explained that this bill proposes an increase in salaries for various judicial positions, including Supreme Court judges, intermediate court of appeals judges, circuit court judges, family court judges, and magistrates, by $8,000 each. To fund this increase, the bill allows for a state employer contribution holiday until fiscal year 2030 or until the funded rate of the plan drops below 150%. This holiday is projected to save the state between $1.2 million to $1.4 million annually.

The total cost of the proposed salary increases, including benefits, is estimated to exceed $3 million. During the contribution holiday, the annual increase in costs is expected to be around $1.6 million to $1.8 million.

Additionally, the bill introduces changes to the judges' retirement system. Currently, judges appointed or elected after July 1, 2005, can receive full pension benefits at age 65 after 16 years of service. The new legislation would allow these judges to access a reduced pension benefit in the form of an annual annuity payment after just 12 years of service. Furthermore, the surviving spouse benefit would be increased to 50% of the member's benefit.

The committee's discussions highlighted the financial implications of the proposed salary increases and retirement changes, emphasizing the balance between judicial compensation and fiscal responsibility. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further evaluate the bill and its potential impacts on the state's budget and judicial system.