WV SB782

Increases annual salaries for West Virginia judges in two phases: magistrates rise from $63,250 to $68,250 (July 2026) then $73,250 (July 2027); Supreme Court justices from $149,600 to $154,600 then $159,600; circuit judges from $138,600 to $143,600 then $148,600; family court judges from $103,950 to $113,950 then $118,950; and Intermediate Court of Appeals judges from $142,500 to $147,500 then $152,500

Suspends required court contributions into the Judges' Retirement Fund until the pension fund's funded status falls below 150 percent

Allows judges appointed or elected after July 1, 2005 to qualify for retirement benefits under the same terms as pre-2005 judges, eliminating the distinction between the two groups

Increases surviving spouse annuity benefits from 40 percent to 50 percent of the deceased judge's annual salary

Repeals sections 51-9-6c and 51-9-6d, which imposed limitations on retirement benefit increases and created separate benefit calculations for post-2005 judges