Guide to the Teachers' Pension Scheme
Our main TPS guide provides answers on a wide range of topics, including how much you contribute, how benefits are calculated and when you can start to take your pension.
Teachers' Pension FAQs
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How can I see what my TPS benefits are worth?
You can keep track of your TPS benefits through your online benefit statement. For active members, the statement is updated monthly.
If you’re not sure how to access it, what the statement shows or how to understand your benefits, check out this great video from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.
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What happens to my pension if I'm off sick, or have to retire through ill health?
If you’re off sick for a long time, you’ll stay in pensionable service as long as you’re earning at least half the salary you were before your sick leave.
If you have to retire before your Normal Pension Age (NPA) due to illness or injury, ill-health retirement benefits may be paid. Certain criteria has to be satisfied to be eligible for these benefits - for example, you'll usually need at least two years of qualifying service.
Find out more in this TPS video, including what happens if you need to retire due to ill health.
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How do I go about a 'phased retirement'?
If you’d like to start drawing your pension but you’re not quite ready to quit the classroom, you may be considering a gradual or ‘phased’ retirement. You can take a phased retirement from the age of 55.
To stay eligible for your TPS benefits, you’ll have to either reduce your teaching hours or move to a less senior position, with a new salary at least 20% less than the previous twelve months averaged earnings.
You’ll then have the option to take up to 75% of your pension, while you continue to work and grow your remaining pension as you contribute to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.
Any pension you take before your Normal Pension Age will normally be subject to reductions. However, if you take a phased retirement after your normal retirement age, no reductions will be applied to your benefits.
You can find out more in this video from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.
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How does the McCloud Judgement (Transitional Protection Remedy) affect me and my pension?
The McCloud judgement was a ruling that found the pension protections introduced in 2015 to be discriminatory against younger members of the TPS.
As a result, the TPS introduced the 'Transitional Protection Remedy' - meaning some members now get the option to decide which scheme they accrue benefits in for the period between 2015 and 2022.
This applies to members who were in service on or before 31st March 2012 and continued to be in pensionable service at some point during the remedy period (1st April 2015 - 31st March 2022) without a disqualifying break in service. This includes those who've taken their pension benefits since 1 April 2015.
For most members, there is nothing to do right now. Members will be asked to make their choice when they access their benefits, allowing you to make a choice based on your actual career and a known retirement date.
Fore more information, read our guide on recent changes to the Teacher’s Pension Scheme.
More handy TPS guides and resources
Understanding TPS lump sums
As part of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, you can take up to 25% of your pot as a tax-free lump sum. Find out more about your lump sum entitlement in this guide.
What happens to my Teachers' Pension when I die?
Whether you're in active employment or drawing your pension already, find out what happens to your benefits when you die.
Teachers' pension ill-health retirement
Learn everything you need to know about applying for ill-health benefits under the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) in this guide for education professionals.
Teachers' pension phased retirement
If you're looking to slow down your schedule but you're not quite ready to stop working, you can opt for phased retirement under the TPS. Find out more.