Final answer:
Federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, have lifetime tenure but may opt for senior status or retirement. This decision is personal and varies among judges, influenced by individual circumstances. The independent judiciary, established by Article III, allows them to serve for life to ensure a separation from political pressures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The topic of judicial retirement and senior status correlates with the concept of lifetime tenure in the federal court system. Under Article III, federal judges, including those in special courts and Supreme Court justices, are granted the privilege to serve for life. This provision ensures an independent judiciary, free from undue political influence. Nevertheless, judges may choose to take senior status or retire upon eligibility. Taking senior status allows a federal judge to reduce their workload while still maintaining some duties and is often utilized by judges who reach a certain age and service criteria, though this is not mandatory.
States have their own systems, as exemplified by the Michigan court system, where judges have fixed terms and are elected to their positions. Comparatively, at the federal level, judges are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The question of whether many judges take senior status or retire upon eligibility is more nuanced, as individual circumstances may vary. Some judges continue full-time service well past the eligibility for senior status, while others opt for a reduced workload. Overall, the choice to retire or take senior status when eligible is a personal one, influenced by the judge's health, desire to continue in full capacity, or other personal factors.