As we previously mentioned in the October bulletin, from 2015-2016 all pension schemes were required to align the Pension Input Period (PIP) for pension savings statement with the tax year.  Those schemes, such as the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, that needed to change their PIP were allowed to make use of transitional provisions for the alignment tax year.  But from 2016-2017 Teachers’ Pensions must be provided with the information that allows us to calculate a member’s pension savings statement in line with the tax year. Consequently, the information you provide must satisfy the requirements of both the Teachers’ Pension Scheme and HMRC and, where necessary, provide service information covering the Scheme Year (01 April 2016 – 31 March 2017) and the tax year (06 April 2016 – 05 April 2017). 

Where employers have previously provided the period 01 April 2016 – 05 April 2016 you’ll need to cover:

06/04/2016 – 31/03/2017*

01/04/2017 – 05/04/2017

Where employers have not previously provided any part of the period 01 April 2016 – 30 April 2016 you’ll need to cover:

01/04/2016 – 05/04/2016

06/04/2016 – 31/03/2017*

01/04/2017 – 05/04/2017

Where the employer has previously provided the period 01 April 2016 – 30 April 2016 or later then you’ll need to cover:

01/04/2016 – 05/04/2016

06/04/2016 – 31/03/2017*

01/04/2017 – 05/04/2017

* If there’s any change in pensionable salary separate lines for the relevant service periods will be required.

For those employers who provide service and salary returns via Monthly Data Collection (MDC), please be aware that we’re working on a potential solution whereby we’ll split the service provided for April 2016 and April 2017 on a pro-rata basis (excluding irregular part-time employees with pensionable earnings in the period). We’ll keep you up to date with our requirements for service information, and the development of an automated service split for MDC, in the approach to April 2017.