If you’re employed by an independent school, it’s worth noting that after a consultation exercise, they can choose to leave the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.

There are two ways in which they can choose to do this:

1. Phased withdrawal – Your employer will in effect freeze the membership to the Scheme at a chosen point in time and no new entrants will be allowed to join the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (except for a bulk TUPE transfer from another participating school). If you decide to opt out of the Scheme after the phased withdrawal date you'll no longer be in ‘eligible employment’ in the Scheme and any new opting in requests will be offered via an alternative pension scheme.
2. Scheme withdrawal – you employer will completely leave the Scheme and offer you an alternative pension scheme.

To help you understand what you employer should do to involve you in this process and how it may impact you, we recommend you use our website and resources to help you understand more.

Please Note:

If you opt out of the Scheme after your school becomes a “Phased withdrawal school”, you’ll not be able to opt back into the Teachers’ Pension Scheme with that employer. Unless, that establishment applies to return to full participation in the Scheme in the future and be open to new entrants.

You’ll only be able to remain in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme by taking up employment with another participating employer which allows active membership under the Teachers’ Pensions Regulations.