Section 68549 - Judges deemed to be retired judges(a) A judge who has been defeated in an election for his or her office and who, before his term of office expires, elects to leave his or her accumulated contributions in the fund pursuant to Section 75033, or to receive benefits pursuant to Section 75033.5, shall not be deemed a retired judge within the meaning of Section 6 of Article VI of the California Constitution.(b) Except as provided in subdivision (a), any judge whose position is terminated by court annexation, merger, closure, or consolidation, or who retires or resigns from office, and who has a vested interest under a public employees' retirement system as a result of service as a judge, and who has been a member of the State Bar for at least five years or who has served as a judge of a court of record, shall be deemed a retired judge within the meaning of Section 6 of Article VI of the California Constitution.Amended by Stats. 1981, Ch. 417, Sec. 1.