As members will be aware, there has been discussion between the TUC and Treasury on the issue of public sector pensions. Additionally, the Independent Public Sector Pensions Commission, chaired by Lord Hutton, reported in March this year. The Report contained much which would be attractive to the Government.

Dear Colleagues Pensions Update I wrote before the summer holiday to inform you of discussions taking place with the UK Government with regard to proposed changes to pension rules. I informed you that discussions were under way at the UK Working Party on Superannuation (UKWP) but that no firm proposals had been tabled. That remains the position. The teachers’ side has demanded factual information which has not yet been received. Without this information the talks cannot reach a conclusion. SSTA…

Current situation Much publicity has attached to the Government’s proposals for changes to state sector pensions. This has increased following the industrial action taken by some unions in England. (Given that the day of action was during the holiday period for many authorities, the question of industrial action by the Association never arose). Discussions between the Government and the TUC on the whole issue of public sector pensions continue but the Government view is that these discussions should end shortly.…

The report of the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission (the Hutton Commission) is published today. It contains wide ranging proposals (which constitute recommendations and need not be implemented) relating to the design of public sector pension schemes. The Report contains nothing particularly unexpected (there was an interim report published in 2010) but at least one of the proposals will have a significant bearing on many members' pensions. The major proposals include: The total protection of benefits currently accrued (that is,…

The Hutton interim report suggests a number of 'money saving' improvements to public service pensions. It would appear that the solutions are known before the problem is identified.   The scheme revaluation, currently underway, won't be reported until 2012. In the meantime proposals, possibly to include: • raising the retirement age • increasing employee contributions • move to average salary pensions will decimate the contractual benefit we enjoy and deprive teachers of the retirement they have so hard worked for.…

The commission will undertake a fundamental structural review of public service pension provision by Budget 2011. It will produce an interim report in September 2010 ahead of the Spending Review. Scope of the Commission's work The commission will make recommendations on how public service pensions can be made sustainable and affordable in the long-term, fair to both the public service workforce and the taxpayer, and ensure that they are consistent with the fiscal challenges ahead. The Commission will consider issues…

Recent press reports suggest that the Government may be planning to amend the legislation to break the current link between annual increases in pension payments and the RPI, replacing it with a link to the much lower CPI. Teacher unions throughout the UK are working together to stop this proposal ever happening.   At present the campaign is being conducted through the Pensions Working Group and is of a very technical and legal nature.   If this is unsuccessful a…

PENSION CHANGES 2007 - ADVICE LEAFLETS The Association has produced a series of advice leaflets regarding the proposed revision to teachers' pensions. The leaflets addresses the effects of the proposals, including specific advice for certain groups of member for whom there are particular issues. The leaflets can be found here.

TEACHERS' PENSIONS - OUTCOME OF NEGITIOATIONS To view the outline points of the recommendation of changes to the Teachers Pension Scheme click here. The view the full recommendations by the DfES click here.

PENSION CHANGES 2007 - ADVICE LEAFLETS The Association has produced a series of advice leaflets regarding the proposed revision to teachers' pensions. The leaflets addresses the effects of the proposals, including specific advice for certain groups of member for whom there are particular issues. The leaflets can be found here