Employers' Guide

Section 19 - Services TP Can Provide To Employers

1. Seminars 2. Training Staff to Carry Out their Role 3. Presentations to Scheme Members 4. Assistance with Annual Returns 5. Administration of Compensation Payments 6. Contacts

1. Seminars

Staff from TP present a programme of seminars each year at locations around the country. The purpose of these is to provide an overview of the Scheme to those involved in its administration and to make you aware of your responsibilities to the teacher and the Scheme.

These sessions provide the opportunity for attendees to make contact with others who also administer the Scheme in their locality. Time is made available for questions to be asked of the presenters and for issues to be aired. This provides useful learning and discussion.

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2. Training Staff to Carry Out their Role

TP can provide training, or refresher sessions at your premises, for staff who have the responsibility for administering the Scheme. Such training covers:-

The appointment of teachers – how to notify TP; information that should be provided to new starters, etc
Leavers – when to inform TP
Deduction of contributions
Scheme events
TP On-line
Annual return
End of year certificates
TR17 and TR17a
How to make use of the Scheme website
How to guide teachers to obtain estimates of their benefits

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3. Presentations to Scheme Members

TP can provide presentations about the TPS provisions at your premises to Scheme members. TP can present information tailored to suit the particular circumstances and can do this for group sessions or one to ones. These presentations cover:

Induction
Pre-retirement
Redundancy options
Effects of scheme changes.

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4. Assistance with Annual Returns

All annual returns of teacher data must be submitted to TP by the 31st August. TP are aware that some employers lack the expertise, and sometimes the resources, to achieve this timetable. TP can come to your premises to assist with or to compile the annual return. Alternatively, TP can undertake this from their own premises using basic information supplied by you that can be amalgamated into existing records. You are invited to contact TP to explore the level of assistance required to help you achieve the deadline.

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5. Administration of Compensation Payments

TP can provide a payment administration service of either mandatory or discretionary compensation or both if you are an employer within the maintained sector. Reimbursement of the member’s benefits can be made by one of three ways:

Option A - 'Pay as you go', invoiced quarterly.
Option B - a single actuarially determined lump sum payment to be made in full on receipt of invoice.
Option C - an actuarially determined lump sum broken down into annual instalments including a nominal interest charge payable over 2 - 5 years.

If you decide on Option A, you will need to reimburse TP for the lump sum payment before TP pays the member.

If payment is made under either Option B or C, the value of the pension would need to be capitalised using actuarial factors based on life expectancy. The factors and an example are available here.

There would be no refund of any portion of the actuarial amount if the teacher dies after a short period of retirement.

If you are an employer in the non-maintained sector, this service is only available in respect of mandatory compensation and payment must be made by one payment of the capitalised cost. You will need to make your own arrangements in respect of any discretionary or additional compensatory payments.

TP can also offer a service to take over the administration of your existing mandatory or discretionary pension payroll. TP charge an annual administration fee of £92.79 plus VAT per teacher per year for providing the full service. If, however, you wish TP to administer only discretionary payments, the fee is £28.87 plus VAT per teacher per year.

You must be aware that the fee for administering discretionary payments will continue to be payable throughout the life of any subsequent beneficiary payments but the costs of administering mandatory compensation payments will cease upon the death of the teacher. If you would like TP to administer payments on your behalf, you will be required to enter into a contractual arrangement with Capita.

The benefits of this service:

For the pensioner:

Both pensions being paid from one source;
A dedicated call centre for pensioners to call with queries.

For the employer:

A full administration service with all payment queries, tax, NI, pension increases and personal details changes being done by TP;
Ensuring that pensions are ceased in a timely manner upon notification of bereavement, with any applicable family benefits put into payment;
Re-employment monitoring. You may not be made aware of a pensioner being re-employed in another establishment. If a pensioner becomes re-employed without your knowledge, this could cost you money. TP can control this as we hold relevant employment records.

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