Relating to the Judicial Retirement System Plan Two, including resuming service in the retirement system and contributions to the retirement system.

SB 1738 allows retired Texas judicial officers who return to full-time judicial service (not temporary assignments) to rejoin the Judicial Retirement System Plan Two under specific conditions. To qualify, they must have been separated from judicial service for at least six consecutive months before returning, notify the retirement system within 30 days of taking office, and restart member contributions. If they serve 24 months or more after returning, their retirement payments are recalculated to include higher salary history and additional service credit; if they serve less than 24 months, they receive a refund of their contributions and resumed annuity payments. The changes apply to current judicial retirees returning after the bill’s effective date (September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote) and require existing retirees to make their election by September 1, 2027.