Teachers Pension Refunds before 2016

Hey_Jude_UK

I've requested a refund from the Teacher's Pension Scheme as I didn't qualify for the benefits (less than 2 years service). I received a letter today stating that I can only be repaid for part of the money I put in from April 2016 as, prior to this, the scheme was contracted out and I paid NI contributions at a lower rate. 

Does anyone know how I can claim this money back / transfer it to a different pot? 

The Teacher's Pension scheme is a nightmare - when you call up, people can't talk to you about your pension and all communication done via secure messages. Finding them really challenging to deal with. 

Any advice / help with this would be much appreciated. 
 

dunstonh

Does anyone know how I can claim this money back / transfer it to a different pot? 

The letter says you will retain benefits in the TPS and you cannot have a refund of contributions.

Hey_Jude_UK

Prior to me contacting them, I was told I was not eligible for benefits and could apply for a refund. I applied for a refund and then got told I now qualify for retirement benefits without completing two years service so the information is confusing. Before I applied for a refund, I was not told the info in the letter above so that is why I am checking it. 

Ideally, I would like to take my money out of this scheme so I was wondering if anyone else has had success with finding a way to do this. 

xylophone

The letter above explains why a refund cannot be made.

You have a deferred TPS pension in respect of the years in question.

See below.


https://www.teacherspensions.co.uk/members/working-life/deferring-your-pension/what-happens-to-your-benefits.aspx

Marcon

Hey_Jude_UK said:

Prior to me contacting them, I was told I was not eligible for benefits and could apply for a refund. I applied for a refund and then got told I now qualify for retirement benefits without completing two years service so the information is confusing. Before I applied for a refund, I was not told the info in the letter above so that is why I am checking it. 

Ideally, I would like to take my money out of this scheme so I was wondering if anyone else has had success with finding a way to do this. 

Why do you want to do that (not a provocative question, but I'm wondering if there's something you may not have fully understood)?

Hey_Jude_UK

Marcon said:

Hey_Jude_UK said:

Prior to me contacting them, I was told I was not eligible for benefits and could apply for a refund. I applied for a refund and then got told I now qualify for retirement benefits without completing two years service so the information is confusing. Before I applied for a refund, I was not told the info in the letter above so that is why I am checking it. 

Ideally, I would like to take my money out of this scheme so I was wondering if anyone else has had success with finding a way to do this. 

Why do you want to do that (not a provocative question, but I'm wondering if there's something you may not have fully understood)?

I have about five pensions so I was looking to consolidate. With the TPS, they have never sent any communication (not received letters or emails) and they have never provided a statement. Initially, when I submitted a message on their website asking for a statement, I was told that I had less than two years service and was not entitled to benefits BUT I could apply for a refund. After being told this, I applied for a refund.  I have now have received this letter, which gives a partial refund but then says I cannot get a refund for the money prior to April 2016 and will be entitled to benefits for this period. Non of this was explained BEFORE I applied for a refund so it's really confusing. I don't understand why I was told I didn't qualify for benefits and now I do. I also don't understand why I have never received a statement. 

Hey_Jude_UK

dunstonh said:

Does anyone know how I can claim this money back / transfer it to a different pot? 

The letter says you will retain benefits in the TPS and you cannot have a refund of contributions.

Before initially applying for a refund, I was told I could not have a statement and was not entitled to benefits from TPS as I had less than two years service so I do not understand the contradictory info. 

Hey_Jude_UK

xylophone said:

The letter above explains why a refund cannot be made.

You have a deferred TPS pension in respect of the years in question.

See below.

There has been contradictory information from TPS regarding this - previously told I wasn't entitled to any benefits and that I could request a refund. I requested a refund.  Now told that I can't have a refund and that I am entitled to benefits with less than two years service. This is why I'm confused. 

greatkingrat

July 2013 - March 2016 is over two years anyway?

Hey_Jude_UK

greatkingrat said:

July 2013 - March 2016 is over two years anyway?

It's not two years in the scheme, it's two years service and I had 1 year 188 days. 

Silvertabby

The dates quoted in the letter (11 Jul 13 to 31 March 16) are more than two years.  Are these dates wrong?