All Roll Calls
Yes: 488 • No: 3
South CarolinaH 4300126th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 9-8-50, RELATING TO SERVICE CREDIT IN THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR JUDGES AND SOLICITORS, SO AS TO RESTATE THE SECTION; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 9-8-60, RELATING TO THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR JUDGES' AND SOLICITORS' ALLOWANCES, SO AS TO CHANGE THE RETIREMENT AGE OF JUDGES FROM SEVENTY-TWO TO SEVENTY-FOUR.
Sponsored By: Bruce W. Bannister (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Retirement System for Judges and Solicitors
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Clear vesting rules for judges and solicitors
Beginning August 13, 2026, vesting is set by role. Judges vest after 10 years of earned service as a judge. Solicitors and circuit public defenders vest after 8 years in those roles. Vesting means you qualify for a pension from this system.
Judges can serve until age 74
Beginning August 13, 2026, judges can serve through the end of the year they turn 74. You may file your retirement application by the end of that year. A judge who retires and keeps serving pays contributions but does not earn more service credit while still on the bench. This change applies only if you had not reached age 74 before January 1, 2027. Special rule: a judge who turns 72 in 2026, whose seat was screened and a successor elected, may keep serving full time and keep earning service credit until reaching 10 years; after 10 years, no more credit is earned.
Early prorated pension for former members
Beginning August 13, 2026, if you are vested, left service, and kept your contributions on deposit, you can get a prorated monthly pension. If you started before July 1, 2004, payments can start at age 55. If you started after June 30, 2004, payments start at age 65. The amount equals your normal monthly benefit times your total credited years divided by 24, and it cannot be more than your full monthly benefit.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Bruce W. Bannister
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Cody T. Mitchell
Republican • House
Wallace H. "Jay" Jordan, Jr.
Republican • House
Jason Luck
Democrat • House
Wm. Weston J. Newton
Republican • House
Richard L. "Richie" Yow
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 8/11/2026
(Retirement System for Judges and Solicitors)Concur in Senate Amendments
Yes: 113 • No: 0
Senate vote • 6/25/2026
(Retirement System for Judges and Solicitors)2nd Reading
Yes: 36 • No: 3
House vote • 5/1/2025
(Retirement System for Judges and Solicitors)Passage of Bill
Yes: 113 • No: 0
House vote • 5/1/2025
(Retirement System for Judges and Solicitors)Passage of Bill
Yes: 113 • No: 0
House vote • 5/1/2025
(Retirement System for Judges and Solicitors)Passage of Bill
Yes: 113 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Act No. 258
8/14/2026legislatureEffective date See Act for Effective Date
8/14/2026legislatureSigned By Governor
8/13/2026GovernorRatified R 275
8/11/2026legislatureRoll call Yeas-113 Nays-0
8/11/2026HouseConcurred in Senate amendment and enrolled
8/11/2026HouseRead third time and returned to House with amendments
8/11/2026SenateRoll call Ayes-36 Nays-3
6/25/2026SenateRead second time
6/25/2026SenateAmended
6/25/2026SenateRecalled from Committee on Finance
5/12/2026SenateReferred to Committee on Finance
5/6/2025SenateIntroduced and read first time
5/6/2025SenateRead third time and sent to Senate
5/2/2025HouseUnanimous consent for third reading on next legislative day
5/1/2025HouseRoll call Yeas-113 Nays-0
5/1/2025HouseRead second time
5/1/2025HouseCommittee report: Favorable Judiciary
4/30/2025HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Luck
4/10/2025HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Yow, C.Mitchell
4/8/2025HouseReferred to Committee on Judiciary
4/3/2025HouseIntroduced and read first time
4/3/2025House
Bill Text
Introduced
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