Paul G. Mast v. The Judges’ Retirement System, BS 169193

Tentative decision on complaint for declaratory relief: granted in JRS’s favor

Petitioner Paul G. Mast (“Mast”) seeks declaratory relief that Respondent Judges’ Retirement System, Administered by the California Public Employees Retirement System (“JRS”) is obligated to set cost-of-living adjusted (“COLA”) benefits in designated amounts and pay said amounts forthwith.

The court has read and considered the moving papers, opposition, and reply, and renders the following tentative decision.

A. Statement of the Case

1. Petition

Petitioner Mast commenced this proceeding on April 10, 2017. The verified Petition alleges in pertinent part as follows.

Mast is a retired municipal court judge whose judicial service was between November 8, 1965 and January 15, 1979. Pet. ¶1. Mast qualified for Judicial Retirement Benefits on his 63rd birthday, May 28, 1995, at a percentage of 49.4572%. Pet. ¶5.

Prior to May 28, 1995, Mast contacted JR