The Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) is the occupational pension for teachers and lecturers in England and Wales. There are two main parts — the final salary scheme (with two normal pension ages of 60 and 65 depending on when you joined) and the career average scheme introduced in April 2015. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own equivalent schemes (SPPA and NITPS).
What we’ll cover
Plain-English explainers for this scheme are being written. They’ll cover:
- How your pension is calculated, with worked examples
- Contribution rates and how they’re banded
- Normal pension age, early retirement, and ill-health benefits
- Additional voluntary contributions (AVCs) and added pension
- Lump-sum commutation — when it makes sense and when it doesn’t
- Survivor benefits and what your family inherits
- The McCloud remedy decision: what it means for you, scheme by scheme
Information, not advice. This article describes the general rules of the scheme. It is not regulated financial advice and does not take account of your personal circumstances. Pension decisions can have lifetime consequences, so consider speaking to a regulated financial adviser or to MoneyHelper before making one. Pension Plain is not authorised or regulated by the FCA.