A participant whose employment as a judge is terminated, regardless of age or cause is entitled to a retirement annuity beginning on the date specified in a written application subject to the following:
A participant who has at least 8 years of creditable service is entitled to a retirement annuity when he or she has attained age 67.
A member who has attained age 62 and has at least 8 years of service credit may elect to receive the lower retirement annuity provided in subsection (d) of Section 18-125 of this Code.
40 ILCS 5/18-124