Past/Deferred Members FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions (last updated October 2007)
Q. What is a deferred member? Q. What happens to a member’s service when they leave pensionable teaching employment? Q. If a member has more than a 5 year gap will they have a mixed service pension? Q. Is a five year break in service a single period or accumulative periods? Q. How will members know how much service they have to their credit to qualify for a further 5 year protection for NPA of 60? Q. Can deferred members purchase additional pension? Q. Can deferred members nominate their partners to receive a pension after they die? Q. Do the increased death grants apply to deferred members? Q. How do deferred members apply for benefits? Q. Can deferred members take phased retirement? Q. What benefits will a deferred member receive if they retire on grounds of ill health? Q. How is the average salary calculated for deferred members? My Pension OnlineA. A deferred member is a member of the TPS who has left pensionable service and is not yet receiving retirement benefits.
Q. What happens to a member’s service when they leave pensionable teaching employment?
A. Their service will remain to their credit and be added to service undertaken in the future. If the member takes up other employment it may be possible to transfer their credit to their new pension provider. Further information can be found in the fact sheet Leaving pensionable employment.
Q. If a member has more than a 5 year gap will they have a mixed service pension?
A. Yes. This means that service before the break will be subject to an NPA of 60 and service after the break will be subject to an NPA of 65. There is however transitional protection that allows a member to retain a NPA of 60 provided they return to pensionable employment before 1 January 2008.
Back to the topQ. Is a five year break in service a single period or accumulative periods?
A. If a member returns after 1 January 2008 with a break of less than five years, then there will be a minimum period of scheme membership 30 days reckonable service or 60 days pensionable employment that must be undertaken. Further information can be found in the fact sheet Deferred members at 31 December 2006.
Q. How will members know how much service they have to their credit to qualify for a further 5 year protection for NPA of 60?
A. Members are able to view their estimate of benefits on the website. These estimates detail the service periods held on the member’s record. Estimates are not sent to deferred members unless they request one.
Q. Can deferred members purchase additional pension?
A. No. Additional pension can only be purchased by in-service members. When a member who is purchasing additional pension leaves service they have the option to pay the outstanding contributions within 30 days of leaving pensionable employment. If they do not they are credited with the value of the pension that they paid for up to the date of leaving.
Back to the topQ. Can deferred members nominate their partners to receive a pension after they die?
A. Yes. A deferred member can nominate a partner but only service from 1 January 2007 counts for benefit, a 2-year qualification period is required and they can only purchase previous service if they are in pensionable employment.
Q. Do the increased death grants apply to deferred members?
A. No. If the member is out of pensionable service and not retired when they die the death grant will be the higher of the value of a lump sum based on the member’s previous pensionable teaching service to the date of death or the value of the contributions paid to the TPS plus interest at 3% per annum to the date of death. Further information can be found in the leaflet Survivor and Death Benefits.
Q. How do deferred members apply for benefits?
A. Deferred members can either download an application form from the website or request one from TP. The application form should be submitted to TP at least 30 days before the members normal retirement date, i.e. 60 or 65. Payments will not be made unless the member submits an application form.
Back to the topQ. Can deferred members take phased retirement?
A. Yes, providing the member left pensionable service from a higher paid post and within six months of takes up a new post with a 25% reduction in salary and within 3 months of taking up that lower paid post applies for phased retirement.
Q. What benefits will a deferred member receive if they retire on grounds of ill health?
A. Only partial incapacity benefits, PIB, can be awarded and no enhancement will be awarded. Further information can be found in the leaflet Ill-health retirement benefits.
Q. How is the average salary calculated for deferred members?
A. If they do not return to teaching after 1 January 2007 their benefits will be calculated on the best consecutive 365 days in their last 3 years of pensionable service. Further information can be found in the fact sheet Average Salary.
Back to the topMy Pension Online
Q. I am having trouble logging in to the online service. I have registered previously but have lost/forgotten my details.
A. Please try using the Remind Me facility. You only need to enter at least one of your username, password or PIN, and following this you will need to confirm some identifying details. If this does not work, you may have locked your account. Please email us at tpwebadmin@capita.co.uk quoting your full name and reference number. We can then provide you with further assistance.
Q. I am having trouble registering for the online service.
A. Please read the registration guidance notes as they provide assistance to members trying to register. If you still have problems after consulting the guidance notes, please email us at tpwebadmin@capita.co.uk quoting your full name and reference number. We can then provide you with further assistance.
Q. I have registered successfully for the online service but have not received my PIN.
A. Please email tpwebadmin@capita.co.uk quoting your full name and reference number, together with the answer to your personal question, and we will provide a PIN.
Q. If I register to your secure website what details can I access?
A. Our secure website enables scheme members to access a personalised estimate of retirement benefits (subject to having completed sufficient service to qualify for the payment of retirement benefits), including pensions increase up to the latest review date, based on the last service and salary details to have been sent to Teachers’ Pensions by your former employer. Additionally you can securely submit changes to your personal details (such as name and address) and update your death grant nominee’s.