Technically retirement age is 65 (might have moved to 67). But don't worry, Republicans have proposed moving the retirement agree to 75. That'd really cut down on the senators past retirement age and they don't even have to retire!
If we do an age limit it should be scientifically defined, something like the statistical average age at which mental decline due to old age has set in. Wording it like that will allow the exact age to be flexible with the times if say longevity increases or a generation is born into such harsh environmental conditions that it lowers the average cognitive ability at a younger age than expected.
Mental decline due to old age presently begins to set in noticeably in the mid to late 60s.
Plus, it's better than the present system where authority and paying jobs are held onto for dear life by zombified boomers out of what can only be assumed as sheer spite for the up and coming.
Too be fair, she could have been all there mentally and died from something else. My Great-grandma was very sharp, and very aware when she passed at 82.
If your boss retires, you're out of a job. Pretty sure Feinsteins top staffer is Pelosi's niece (maybe daughter?) And I doubt she'd have trouble finding a job, but most have a financial incentive to keep their boss in office for as long as possible.
Direct incentive yes but it's to the overall detriment to their position in life at this point. Aren't Feinstein and Pelosi in solid blue districts? There's little risk to "losing" the seat.
Republicans have already made it clear that they won't agree to seat Feinstein's replacement on the judiciary committee. She can resign and be replaced by another Democrat in the Senate at large, but we will get absolutely zero new federal judges.
You can't vote for the first 18 years, why not do the same based on the average life expectancy? That would even add a incentive for older politicians to improve medical care for all!