Teachers' Pensions?

orwen

LHW99 wrote: »

It would be worth registering on the Teachers' Pension website, because you can then check that they have your years of service correct.
Also, you mention that you did supply service after 2002 - was this pensionable? I did some supply service in the 1980's, and opted for all part time work to be pensionable. I think the requirement to opt-in was removed at some point, and all service became pensionable, but I'm not absolutely sure.
If yours was counted, it will add a little to the benefits.

Thanks, I registered earlier this evening. I am a deferred member and appear to fall into the 'protected' pension category. Why is there no on-line submission for automatic lump sum plus monthly pension, because that is what I should be getting and that was the forecast TP printed out for me last June - why am I being asked to re-invent the wheel here please?

No, the supply work was done through agencies, there was no pension provision. We were classed as 'temporary staff' and therefore no pension, you had to be employed by the agency to be in a pension scheme, you would have needed to be an agency employee, not a supply teacher visiting schools and colleges.

Bootsox

orwen wrote: »

I now know this - Windows 10 didn't help either, it is non-compatible with the new ISP email programme - but that is decidedly a separate issue. Many thanks for your help - it has been a long journey and the going is still in progress.

Getting a bit off topic but if you have a googlemail e-mail address (for example) it doesn't matter who your ISP is.

You can simply port it around.

orwen

Has the TPS site now crashed pleased? - tried two browsers on two computers and they all yield 'Secure Connection Failed'

:-|

startled_cat

orwen wrote: »

Has the TPS site now crashed pleased? - tried two browsers on two computers and they all yield 'Secure Connection Failed'

:-|

Seems down for me too.

mgdavid

orwen wrote: »

I will refer you to Post 11, and am here requesting advice. Thank you.

But you had 13 years from 1989 to 2002 to find out and understand all about your pension.

Plenty of advice already given:
you need to fill the forms in and return them pronto. For queries:
- call TPS and ask them
- ask the NUT for a contact who knows about the TPS
- try a PM to JEM16

orwen

mgdavid wrote: »

But you had 13 years from 1989 to 2002 to find out and understand all about your pension.

Well, not care of the TPS web site this evening it appears. Kindly study the opening post which is a request for advice and remain on topic please; or by all means start a separate thread. I look forward to reading it, thank you.

hyubh

orwen wrote: »

Thanks but no, after help from MSE, I wrote to TP and they returned my forecast, they said nothing about getting back in touch with them in 3 months time or I would have jumped on it.

It's been plastered all over their (very good) website for many years, and is pretty standard practice more generally (e.g. http://www3.hants.gov.uk/pensions/lgps/past-member/past-member-paying-your-pension.htm). The fact you thought your TPS normal pension age was tied to SPA would indicate, I think, that you hadn't been paying much attention to your TPS pension more generally.

TP took over from the Local Authority pension office some time ago.

That was the admin, and nothing to do with transferring from one scheme (LGPS) to another (TPS). Where that situation does arise is usually when someone has been doing some teaching-related work in a school (but not as a qualified teacher), then at a later point becomes a teacher proper. When that happens they become eligible for the TPS, and therefore, ineligible for the LGPS (you can't be eligible for both), and the question arises of whether to transfer their now-deferred LGPS benefits or not. The rational answer was almost always 'yes' given the typically higher pay of the new job. (More academic now given the CARE schemes.)

there is no mention at all of these forms in the correspondence I had with TP nine months ago.

I don't quite understand your shock at having to complete a form to be honest...

orwen

hyubh wrote: »

I don't quite understand your shock at having to complete a form to be honest...

The shock comes from being in active correspondence with TPS just 9 months ago and their never having told me about registering on their site or filling in this specific form which should have been done months ago. They gave the impression of being situated in Darlington and very little else. The last formal letter I received from them this February has a 'www' address at the foot of the page in light grey ink of approximate font size 8 I should think, this is hardly 'plastering' their web presence.

I got two pages into completing the correct form as an on-line application this evening, after much help, at last I knew exactly what to fill in. I had all the information I needed at hand, they suggest this. Thoughtful of them. Two pages into the procedure the page crashed. I checked other pages - all down, the web site had gone down. I have now patiently filled in the hard copy forms they (mercifully) sent me yesterday, I will take them by hand down to the Post Office tomorrow and send them Recorded Delivery, at least I will know they have got there by tracking them.

hjd

My DH is a deferred member of the TPS (same scheme as you).
TPS website has been consistently wrong in its calculations of his pension (they have admitted a glitch in the system in specific circumstances). He has been in contact several times and asked when he should contact them re taking the pension (has to be at 60). They said about 3 months in advance. He turns 60 in late May so requested the information last month. Forms all filled in and submitted now.
He also had an AVC with the Pru, same specified retirement date but has heard absolutely nothing from them save the annual statements. He will be ringing them up this week (at my instigation) to check his options.

I have to say, I do find some of this strange. I have 3 personal pensions; 2 of which have a selected retirement date in 1.75 years and one in 6 years. For the two earlier ones I have already had letters reminding me of my pension date and setting out preliminary actions/options. I wonder why the TPS and Pru AVC have not done anything like this?

jem16

hjd wrote: »

I have to say, I do find some of this strange. I have 3 personal pensions; 2 of which have a selected retirement date in 1.75 years and one in 6 years. For the two earlier ones I have already had letters reminding me of my pension date and setting out preliminary actions/options. I wonder why the TPS and Pru AVC have not done anything like this?

Totally different type of schemes. The personal pensions are from insurance companies who have to contact you at selected retirement age. The TPS is a Defined Benefit scheme and it's down to you when to claim it.