The nine current Supreme Court Justices’ ages range from 54 to 77, with an average of roughly 65 as of 2026. Because justices serve for life with no mandatory retirement age, each birthday on the bench carries weight: a single vacancy can shift federal law for a generation.
Every Sitting Justice, Oldest to Youngest
Ages as of 2026, with birth date and appointing president:
- Clarence Thomas (77) — born June 23, 1948. Appointed by George H.W. Bush; seated October 23, 1991.
- Samuel Alito (76) — born April 1, 1950. Appointed by George W. Bush; seated January 31, 2006.
- Sonia Sotomayor (71) — born June 25, 1954. Appointed by Barack Obama; seated August 8, 2009.
- John Roberts, Chief Justice (71) — born January 27, 1955. Appointed by George W. Bush; assumed the role September 29, 2005.
- Elena Kagan (66) — born April 28, 1960. Appointed by Barack Obama; seated August 7, 2010.
- Brett Kavanaugh (61) — born February 12, 1965. Appointed by Donald Trump; seated October 6, 2018.
- Neil Gorsuch (58) — born August 29, 1967. Appointed by Donald Trump; seated April 10, 2017.
- Ketanji Brown Jackson (55) — born September 14, 1970. Appointed by Joe Biden; seated in 2022.
- Amy Coney Barrett (54) — born January 28, 1972. Appointed by Donald Trump; seated October 27, 2020.
The birth years span 24 years, from 1948 to 1972.1Supreme Court of the United States. Biographies of the Justices of the Supreme Court Barrett and Jackson, both in their 50s, could plausibly serve another 25 to 30 years.2The Green Papers. United States Supreme Court Justices
Historically, the current bench is on the younger side. The average departure age climbed from about 58 in the early republic to nearly 79 between 1971 and 2006, as lifespans lengthened and each seat grew more politically valuable. An average of 65 leaves most members considerable room before a departure becomes likely.
No Age Minimum or Maximum
The Constitution sets minimum ages for the President (35), Senators (30), and House members (25).3Congress.gov. U.S. Constitution Article 2 Section 1 Clause 5 It says nothing about how old a Supreme Court nominee must be. There is no minimum, no maximum, and no qualification beyond presidential nomination and Senate confirmation.
The result is real range. Joseph Story joined the Court at 32 in 1812 and remains the youngest justice ever seated.4Justia U.S. Supreme Court Center. Justice Joseph Story At the other end, nothing bars a justice from serving into their 90s. The framers left this open, and Congress has never amended it.
Life Tenure and How a Seat Opens
Article III provides that federal judges hold their offices “during good behavior,” language borrowed from English law that in practice means for life.5Congress.gov. Overview of Good Behavior Clause There is no term limit and no periodic reconfirmation. William O. Douglas holds the record for the longest tenure, 36 years, 7 months, and 8 days, from 1939 to 1975.6Supreme Court of the United States. Frequently Asked Questions on Justices Thomas has already passed 34 years of service.
A justice leaves the Court in only three ways: voluntary retirement, death in office, or removal through impeachment and conviction. Voluntary retirement is by far the most common path. Death in office has occurred 50 times in Court history but is rare today. No justice has ever been removed.
The Retirement Math Justices Use
Federal law gives justices a strong financial incentive to step down once age and service line up. Under 28 U.S.C. § 371, a justice who meets the following thresholds can retire on full salary or take “senior status” with a reduced workload:7Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 U.S. Code 371 – Retirement on Salary; Retirement in Senior Status
- Age 65 with 15 years of federal judicial service
- Age 66 with 14 years
- Age 67 with 13 years
- Age 68 with 12 years
- Age 69 with 11 years
- Age 70 with 10 years
Each combination totals 80, so the framework is informally called the Rule of 80. A justice must be at least 65 to qualify, regardless of how many years they have served. A 70-year-old with 10 years on the federal bench meets the test; a 64-year-old with 20 years does not.
A justice who takes senior status keeps the title and salary and can still hear cases. Senior judges across the federal system handle roughly 20 percent of the total district and appellate caseload.8United States Courts. Types of Federal Judges The practical effect at the Supreme Court is that taking senior status creates a vacancy just as retirement does, opening a nomination for the sitting president.
A separate statute, 28 U.S.C. § 372, covers disability retirement. A justice who becomes permanently unable to perform the job can certify that in writing to the President; for an associate justice, the Chief Justice must also sign.9Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 USC 372 – Retirement for Disability Ten or more years of federal judicial service brings full pay for life; fewer than ten years brings half pay.
What the Current Ages Suggest
Presidents now favor younger nominees precisely because life tenure makes age the single most powerful variable in shaping the Court. Barrett was 48 at confirmation, Gorsuch 49, and Jackson 51. All three could serve past 2050. An older nominee gives the appointing president less long-term influence.
Justices also try to time their exits. When a justice wants a like-minded successor, they aim to retire under a politically sympathetic president. When that calculation misfires, as it did for Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the seat can flip and reshape the Court for decades.
On today’s bench, Thomas, Alito, and Sotomayor are the members most often watched. All three are over 70 and all three qualify for full retirement benefits under the Rule of 80. Roberts and Kagan are still in their mid-60s but eligible as well. The four youngest justices, ranging from 54 to 61, are effectively locked in for the foreseeable future.