Members have the right to opt out of the Scheme at any time. If they opt out within three months of contractual or auto enrolment, employers can refund any contributions deducted since the enrolment.  However, they must be enrolled first before an opt out can be accepted and we must receive the completed opt out form (both member and employer sections) within the first three months.

When the application is received by Teachers’ Pensions within three months of the contract or the date of Auto Enrolment commencing, the effective date of election is the first date of employment or the date of Auto Enrolment.

When the form is received by Teachers’ Pensions more than three months after commencing pensionable employment, the effective date of election is the first day of the month after the month in which it was received. In such cases pension contributions must have been deducted and paid to Teachers’ Pensions for the period prior to the opt out.

Please note you can tell members about the provision to opt out of the Scheme but must be careful not to induce them to opt out.  The safe-guarding provisions of the Pensions Act 2008 forbids inducement.

With effect from 1 January 2018, members will only be able to opt out online (unless they have requested otherwise).  Members will therefore need a My Pension Online account in order to access the opt out form.

In the meantime we’ll continue to offer members the opportunity to opt out of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme via a paper form or online.