VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Judges: Retirement

Asked by Bell Ribeiro-AddyLabourMinistry of JusticeTabled Answered 12 September 2025UIN 75126

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will review restrictions on the number of sitting days available to retired judges under the age of 75.

Answered by Sarah Sackman

The number of days that a retired judge can sit is governed by HM Treasury’s abatement policy which ensures that pension benefits and ongoing income do not exceed a judge’s pre-retirement income. Abatement applies to pension benefits from the final salary legacy schemes. The newer judicial pension schemes are career-average revalued earnings schemes, and abatement and sitting day limits do not apply to those schemes.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim