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All full-time teachers and lecturers working in schools that participate in the TPS have pension contributions automatically deducted from their salary.
From 1 January 2007, part-time teachers and lecturers also automatically contribute to the TPS. If your part-time contract began or changed on or after 1 January 2007, you will automatically be put into the TPS unless you previously opted out or opt out.
Your employer pays 14.1% of your salary into the TPS. The contribution made by you to the TPS is 6.4% percent of your gross pensionable salary. This is deducted from your salary before you pay tax, so you get tax relief on your contributions. It also results in paying the lower 'contracted out' rate of National Insurance contributions, as the scheme is contracted out of the State Second Pension (S2P), which is the additional pension provided by the State dependent on the level of your NI contributions. It does not affect your Basic State Pension.
Anyone who entered the TPS from 1 January 2007 will be entitled to their full pension at age 65. Members who joined the TPS before that date can retire at age 60, as can returners to the Scheme who returned by 31 December 2007 or later if they have had a break of not more than five years.
Help and support
For further advice on this issue, ATL members can speak to their school rep, their branch secretary or their regional official. They can also call the London (020 7930 6441), Cardiff (029 2046 5000), Belfast (028 9078 2020) or Edinburgh (0131 272 2748) offices or email info@atl.org.uk
For out of hours enquiries, call the out of office hours helpline on 020 7782 1612 (Monday-Friday, 5-8pm during term time).
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