Teachers' Pensions

MDPiano

I seem to have hit a brick wall and wondered if anybody has any advice to give. I realise that many retired teachers are in a similar position. I retired from teaching in September 2023. My pension is affected by the transitional/ remedial arrangements that all public service pensions are. The lump sum that had been indicated (Teachers' Pensions online and telephone advice) for the six months prior to retirement was a significant amount short. In March of this year I received paperwork to make the choice as to whether I wanted the service in the qualifying period calculated under final salary or career average rules. I opted for the former which was the difference between the lump sum received and indicated. 

At the time they indicated that I would be required to pay back a certain amount which had been overpaid in monthly pension payments. I queried at the time why the more favourable (to me - interest that could have been avoided/earned - whichever!) calculation wasn't also shown. Teachers' Pensions didn't answer this and for the last seven months we have been going back and forward - I say we - most questions have not been answered; their complaints policy doesn't work. I'm guessing they are overwhelmed by the number of people who have retired from teaching...!

I was finally able to complain to the DfE when TP eventually came back with their final answer, which didn't answer the questions actually asked. DfE decided to hand it back to TP (18th August) to give them another go. TP haven't been in touch with me since their final letter 31st July. I phoned yesterday and after about a 40 minute wait was able to speak to someone who said that they had had millions of requests to do - they have to recalculate etc (which does beg the question of how accurate the initial statement that they asked us to base our decision on, is).

 In March I was told it wouldn't be long before everything was settled; TP website says it takes about 90 days to settle after receiving members' choices (we're over 140 days now since they acknowledged receipt of my forms) - the person yesterday didn't have any idea of time, telling me there were millions of recently retired teachers who were still waiting. I have been in touch with my union (they initially stated that a subject access request had suggested that 2 out of about 15000 cases had been settled back in May) - their advice is to keep contacting TP. I have been doing this regularly (maybe too much?!)

DfE have said that they can't investigate my complaint until TP have given their next final answer. Pensions Ombudsman say that they can't do anything until DfE have given their final answer. As TP are failing to communicate with me in any way, let alone give the final answer under their complaints process, I really don't know what to do next... any suggestions would be welcomed! Is a legal approach possible? On the grounds that for the 30 years I paid into a scheme with the expectation that I would receive a certain amount in regular pension and lump sum. The administrators of the scheme have failed to do this. Help!! Please and thank you!!

sammyjammy

I can't help but really feel for you, have you tried asking for help on the Teachers pensions facebook group?  My sister used it and they are very knowledgeable and helpful, you may find others in the same quandry you are in.

If you don't use facebook its worth using a throwaway email to set it up. I'll see if I can find the name of the group.

ETA: its Teacher Pensions - Teacher to Teacher (UK)