Horowitz v. Department of Retirement Systems

This is a direct appeal from a trial court holding that a superior court judge who involuntarily discontinued judicial service prior to becoming eligible for retirement benefits does not have a right to a refund of his compulsory salary contributions.

Appellant Horowitz was appointed as a judge of the Superior Court for King County, effective January 1, 1974. Horowitz continued in office until January 10, 1977, when he left office after having been defeated in the September 1976 primary election.

A percentage of Horowitz' monthly salary was deducted and placed in the Judicial Retirement System…