Ten Rhode Island judges don't have to contribute to pensions

January 15, 2012

Rhode Island: On July 1, 2012, ten Rhode Island judges who have never paid into the pension system will have to start contributing to it. The problem for the state, however, is that these judges are eligible to retire with at least 75 percent of their pension before that date. If a handful of the judges retire, the state may be in some financial trouble since it will have to hire back retired judges on a part-time basis until the Senate is back in session to confirm new judicial appointments.

Judges began contributing 8.75% to the pension fund in 1990. However, the following non-contributing judges have been in office prior to 1990 and were grandfathered in and allowed to keep their whole salary:

• Supreme Court Justice Gilbert V. Indeglia earns $198,871 per year and may retire at full pension anytime.
• Superior Court Judge Alice Bridget Gibney earns $196,954 per year and may retire at 75% anytime.
• Superior Court Judge Robert D. Krause earns $175,318 per year and may retire at full pension anytime.
• Superior Court Judge Melanie Wilk Thunberg earns $179,048 per year and may retire at 75% anytime.
• Superior Court Judge Francis J. Darigan, Jr. earns $179,048 per year and may retire at full pension anytime.
• Family Court Judge Haiganush R. Bedrosian earns $196,954 per year and may retire at full pension anytime.
• Family Court Judge Michael B. Forte earns $179,048 per year and may retire at 75% anytime.
• Family Court Judge Kathleen A. Voccola earns $179,048 per year and may retire at 75% anytime.
• Family Court Judge John J. O'Brien, Jr. earns $168,376 per year and may retire at full pension anytime.
• Traffic Court Judge Lillian M. Almeida earns $167,876 per year and may retire at 75% anytime.

So far, only Judge Darigan is believed to be retiring this year. The state will have to hope for the best regarding the others.