Please see the link to the SPPA  circular 2017/03 issued Wednesday 15 March 2017.

The purpose of this circular is to:

• highlight the timescales for submission of summer retiral applications
• clarify process for late applications
• confirm the information required
• highlight facility for accepting electronic submission of applications
• direct requests for benefit estimates to My Pension online service

In conjunction with Stuart McCullough from Llife Ltd, the SSTA is holding a number of Pre-Retirement seminars at the beginning of 2017.

These seminars are designed to give guidance to members who are considering retiring in the next few years. Members are advised to gain information that will assist in planning the next step in their future. A list of dates and venues of the seminars is shown below.

Members can book a place at a seminar here.

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Members can book a place at a seminars here.

In conjunction with Stuart McCullough from Llife ltd, the SSTA is holding a number of Pre-Retirement seminars at the beginning of 2016.

These seminars are designed to give guidance to members who are considering retiring in the next few years. Members are advised to gain information that will assist in planning the next step in their future. A list of dates and venues of the seminars is listed below.

Members interested in attending a seminar should contact head office to reserve your place or complete the on-line registration form .

The following seminars are now fully booked. 

Glasgow Mercure Hotel City Centre - Thursday 7 January 

Glasgow Mercure Hotel City Centre  - Tuesday 9 February

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Members interested in attending a seminar should contact head office to reserve your place or complete the on-line registration form .

Tel: 0131 313 7300 Email: info@ssta.org.uk

A recording of the Pension Presentation given by an Independent Financial Advisor at the recent meetings with members is now available for members to view. You must be logged into the website to view the video.

• To login to the website you can use your eight digit membership number or your email address as the Username.
• If you do not know your password, you can reset it by clicking on the 'Lost Password' link and entering your email address. An email will be sent to you with a link to reset the password.
• If your email address is not recognised by the website, please email info@ssta.org.uk with a note of your email address and we will have the record updated.

You can view the video at this page - Pension Presentation Recording

Please see the statement received from the SPPA

On 16 March SPPA wrote out to all scheme members who had either no protection or tapered protection setting out the changes being introduced from 1 April 2015. Enclosed with each letter was a leaflet which included details of the Early Retirement Buy Out Reduction and that there is a time limit of 6 months to request this option.

The 20 day turnaround time is a target set by SPPA and is not set out in the regulations nor any scheme literature. Any application received up to and including the period of 6 months from the date of joining the scheme will be accepted.  In addition, where an enquiry is made within 6 months of joining the scheme which results in a quote being issued by SPPA outside the 6 month time limit,  then any subsequent election made within a reasonable time of that quote being issued can be accepted. The scheme regulations provide for an extension of time limits and elections received after the 6 month time limit in these circumstances will be considered under that discretion.

Seamus Searson the General Secretary would like to meet with SSTA members to discuss the issues that face secondary teachers and how we protect and improve conditions for members. The General Secretary will also give an update on Pay, Workload and the New Qualifications. A list of dates and venues are below.

At this meeting there will be an important update on the new Scottish Teachers 2015 Pension Scheme and how it could impact on your future plans.

The Scottish Teachers’ 2015 Pension Scheme
Following the launch of the new Scottish Teachers’ 2015 Pension scheme, on 1 April 2015, we have seen an increase in the number of people seeking guidance. The main focus has been on how the scheme will operate and what actions can be taken to help secure retirement at a reasonable age.

The new scheme has members that have ‘no protection’, ‘tapered protection’ and ‘protected status’ all dependent upon the teachers’ age on the 1 April 2015. In addition, there are various schemes to top-up your pension. However, there is a new arrangement called Early Retirement Reduction Buy Out (ERRBO). This option lets you pay extra contributions to reduce or remove the early retirement reduction if you retire before normal pension age. The ERRBO option is only available for 6 months after joining the new scheme. The clock started ticking for some members on the 1 April 2015. Do attend the ‘Meet the General Secretary’ meetings to get more information.

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If you are able to attend please express your interest by contacting the SSTA head office on 0131 313 7300 or email us at info@ssta.org.uk

ERRBO

On 16 March SPPA wrote out to all scheme members who had either no protection or tapered protection setting out the changes being introduced from 1 April 2015. Enclosed with each letter was a leaflet which included details of the Early Retirement Buy Out Reduction and that there is a time limit of 6 months to request this option.

The 20 day turnaround time is a target set by SPPA and is not set out in the regulations nor any scheme literature. Any application received up to and including the period of 6 months from the date of joining the scheme will be accepted.  In addition, where an enquiry is made within 6 months of joining the scheme which results in a quote being issued by SPPA outside the 6 month time limit,  then any subsequent election made within a reasonable time of that quote being issued can be accepted. The scheme regulations provide for an extension of time limits and elections received after the 6 month time limit in these circumstances will be considered under that discretion.

The purpose of circular 2015/12 is to provide clarification on:

1. Contribution rates and tiers for members joining and leaving the scheme
2. CARE members who have additional contracts
3. Cash conservation
4. Employee and employer contributions payable whilst a member is on sick leave/maternity leave/shared paternity leave/ adoptive leave
5. Contributions for members who receive holiday pay quarterly
6. Salary sacrifice

Members should note the contents of the Scottish Teachers' Superannuation Scheme Circular 2015/10

STSS circular 2015 10

The purpose of this circular is to notify employers of the increase to public service pensions with effect from 6 April 2015. Employers should apply these increases to mandatory and discretionary compensation payments that they pay to retired teachers.