Topic: Age Discrimination

Required: Keep the same number formatting, fully answer each question, explaining your answer (3-4 sentences minimum).

In 2018, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a mandatory retirement age of 70 for judges in Michigan. While some other states require retirement around that same age, other states have either raised or completely removed age restrictions. Michigan state court judge Michael Theile, who was 70 in 2019 and up for reelection in 2020, sued the State of Michigan, arguing that its mandatory retirement age was unconstitutional.

1. Although he lost his case, do you agree with mandatory retirement for judges based on the discussion in the chapter, particularly given the fact that people are living longer and healthier lives?
2. What positions do you believe warrant mandatory retirement and at what age?
3. Consider that no age limit exists for other Michigan state officials, nor are federal judges subject to forced retirement at a specified age. Do these facts impact your answer?