On Tuesday, the highest court in the state decided to reinstate former Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum as a senior judge, a position that carries a substantial financial benefit.
Rosenblum, 74, is eligible to take part in a judiciary pension program that requires retired judges to spend 175 unpaid days behind the gavel over a five-year period, thanks to the Oregon Supreme Court’s majority decision.
In Rosenblum’s case, she would earn a $8,425 monthly pension from what is known as Plan B, which she estimates is at least $1,000 more than she would receive from the Public Employee Retirement System otherwise.
Usually, Plan B judges serve in remote counties with backlogs of cases or take on other unique responsibilities, such as serving on policy committees. Only retired judges who are unable to participate due to illness do so since the state’s pension program strongly encourages it.
The status modification for Rosemblum is effective February 5.
She stated in an interview that the state benefits from the program since it provides free, qualified judges. The state budget actually benefits from it.
Rosenblum has a wealth of legal administration experience. She was promoted to the state Court of Appeals in 2005 after starting her legal career in 1989 on what was then known as the Multnomah County District Court.
She held the $113,000-a-year job until May 2011, when she initially retired.
Rosenblum claims that at the time, she anticipated avoiding the spotlight. She finished her 95-day judicial assignment, which was unpaid save for travel expenses, and started receiving the higher Plan B pension.
However, Rosenblum put herself up and defeated Dwight Holton in the Democratic primary when then-Attorney General John Kroger abruptly chose to serve as president of Reed College rather than seek a second term in 2012.
The Oregon Attorney General’s compensation is regulated by law at $82,200 year, therefore she took a considerable pay cut and forfeited the $8,427.04 monthly pension for the next 12 years while in office.
Dan Rayfield, a former state speaker of the House, followed Rosenblum, who decided not to seek reelection last year.
According to Rosenblum, Justice Paul J. DeMuniz, the chief justice of the Oregon Supreme Court at the time, authorized the suspension in her Plan B status back in 2012 and stated that she may serve out her remaining 80 days after leaving politics.
Additionally, the attorney general’s office will pay her a pension, which she anticipates will range from $1,000 to $2,400 per month, depending on the plan she selects.
“I feel privileged to contribute to the judicial system,” Rosenblum remarked. I’m a little enthusiastic about it, you know.
For The Oregonian/OregonLive, Zane Sparling reports on court proceedings and breaking news. You may contact him at [email protected], 503-319-7083, or pdxzane.
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