Amends GS 7A-4.20 to provide that the mandatory retirement age for a judge or justice of the General Court is December 31 of the year in which that person reaches the age of 72 (was, set mandatory retirement as of the last day of the month in which the judge or justice turned 72). Amends GS 135-57(b) to provide that any member of the judicial retirement system is automatically retired as of January 1 following the member's reaching his or her seventy-second birthday.

Amends GS 7A-170(b) to provide that the mandatory retirement age for magistrates is the last day of December in the year in which the magistrate reaches the mandatory retirement age for justices and judges as specified in GS 7A-4.20 (age 72).

Becomes effective January 1, 2016, and applies to magistrates, judges, and justices holding office on or after that date.