Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito announced Friday that he will remain on the nation's highest court for another term, ending speculation that he could retire this year and confirming that he intends to continue serving as one of the court's conservative justices.

"I’m here for another term," Alito said in remarks Friday, making clear that he does not plan to step down before the Supreme Court's next term begins in October.

Alito, 76, was appointed to the Supreme Court by President George W. Bush in 2006. He has since become a prominent member of the court's conservative wing, authoring and joining opinions involving religious liberty, Second Amendment rights and other major constitutional questions.

The possibility of a Supreme Court retirement can attract significant attention because a vacancy allows a sitting president to nominate a successor, subject to Senate confirmation. Alito's decision to remain on the bench means the current nine-member court will enter its next term without a vacancy created by his departure.

Speculation surrounding potential retirements frequently intensifies around presidential elections and changes in the political makeup of Washington. Alito's statement, however, provides a clear indication that he does not intend to leave the court in the immediate future.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to begin its next term in October, with several significant cases already on its docket. The upcoming session is expected to address questions involving administrative law, free speech and the scope of federal regulatory authority.

Alito's continued service also maintains the court's existing ideological balance as the justices prepare for another term of consequential rulings. His tenure has included several landmark decisions affecting constitutional rights and the relationship between federal authority and individual liberties.

Alito did not provide additional details about how long he ultimately intends to remain on the court. No other justice had publicly commented on his announcement as of Friday afternoon.