Every justice of the Supreme Court, judge of one of the courts of appeals or judge of a circuit court of the state who meets the requirements for retirement prescribed in this article shall be entitled to be retired and to receive a pension as hereinafter provided. Such retirement shall be on order of the Board of Control of the Judicial Retirement Fund and upon the request of the member to be retired or on an order signed by a majority of the members of the Supreme Court.
Ala. Code § 12-18-4 (1975)