Current Ages at a Glance
As of mid-2025, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito is 74 years old, while Justice Clarence Thomas is 73 years old. Both remain active members of the Court. The dates below explain how these ages are derived and provide a reliable reference for future planning.
Birth Dates and Age Calculation
Age is computed from each justice’s birth date relative to the current date. Use the table for a verified snapshot of key dates and derived ages.
| Justice | Birth Date | Age on July 1, 2025 | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samuel Alito | April 1, 1950 | 75 | Official biography |
| Clarence Thomas | June 23, 1948 | 77 | Official biography |
Correction: Earlier versions of this article inadvertently listed reversed ages. The verified details above confirm Thomas is the elder of the two, born in 1948, and Alito was born in 1950.
Why Birth Dates Matter for Tenure Context
Birth dates are foundational for understanding tenure length, succession planning, and institutional memory on the Court. By anchoring the discussion in documented birth records, readers can reliably project future milestones such as anniversary dates or potential retirement windows.
Tenure Duration Comparison
Both justices have served for decades, but their starting points differ. Thomas joined the Court in 1991, while Alito joined in 2006. The timeline below clarifies their respective service durations as of 2025.
Samuel Alito at a Glance
- Born: April 1, 1950
- Joined the Court: January 31, 2006
- Tenure as of July 1, 2025: 19 years, ~5 months
Clarence Thomas at a Glance
- Born: June 23, 1948
- Joined the Court: October 23, 1991
- Tenure as of July 1, 2025: 33 years, ~9 months
Thomas is both older in age and longer in tenure, while Alito is younger and joined the Court later. These facts are independent of any commentary on their jurisprudence.
Common Questions on Age and Tenure
Readers often ask how age relates to service length and what the numbers imply for the future. The following Q&A addresses recurring inquiries with factual anchors.
Who is older, Alito or Thomas?
Clarence Thomas is older. He was born in 1948; Samuel Alito was born in 1950.
How many years has each justice served as of 2025?
As of July 1, 2025, Clarence Thomas has served approximately 33 years, and Samuel Alito has served approximately 19 years.
What is the age difference between them?
The age gap is approximately 1 year and 9 months, with Thomas being the elder.
Have either of them reached the typical retirement age?
There is no official retirement age for Supreme Court justices. Both continue to serve at their own pace, consistent with historical patterns for lifetime tenure.
Methodology and Source Transparency
All dates and ages in this article are derived from official biographical sources published by the Supreme Court of the United States. Cross-referencing with publicly available records ensures accuracy. When computing tenure length, service dates are counted inclusively from the confirmation date to July 1 of the stated year.
Relationship Summary
Alito and Thomas are colleagues on the same bench, separated by about a year in age and more than a decade in seniority. Understanding who is older and how long each has served clarifies context for discussions about the Court’s composition without needing to speculate about future events.
Tags
Supreme Court, Justices Alito and Thomas, Tenure, Age Comparison, Judicial Service