We want to remind you that you have until 11 October 2020 to respond to the government’s consultation (This link opens in a new window) on the proposals to address the discrimination caused by transitional protection arrangements, when the career average scheme was introduced in 2015. We encourage you to respond to the government’s consultation so that they have the chance to consider your views and feedback on their proposals.

The government’s proposals to address the discrimination apply to all pension scheme members who were in service on or before 31 March 2012 and on or after 1 April 2015, including those with a qualifying break in service of not more than 5 years. If members want to check to see if they’re affected it’s worth reminding them to read the leaflet (This link opens in a new window) the Government has published.

The government has presented options which involve members having the choice between either the legacy (final salary) or reformed (career average) scheme benefits accrued during the remedy period.

Any affected members who have retired or will retire before 2022 will be given a choice between legacy (final salary) and reformed (career average) scheme benefits for service between 2015 and their retirement date.

Here at Teachers’ Pensions we’re:

• reviewing the consultation and regulations
• analysing our processes to understand what changes will need to be made
• identifying where we’ll need additional staff resource to help manage the changes
• looking at where we’ll need to deliver training and create supporting resources not only for you and members, but also our staff and other key stakeholders.

The government has said that where possible the choice will be offered to members at retirement. Any change to benefits will be backdated. We’re looking at what this means for members who have retired or are due to retire before 2022. Once the government have responded to the consultation, we’ll work quickly to communicate to the outcome and what our next steps will be.

Please keep checking our website and social media platforms for updated information and to take the time to participate in the consultation exercise (This link opens in a new window).