How your work can shape the pension questions
A teacher’s pension position depends on the scheme that applies, the date they entered pensionable public service, recognised service and working pattern. Substitute work, job sharing, career breaks, transferred service and work in more than one school can make the record harder to reconcile.
Pension benefits and arrangements to identify
Start with the main public-service benefit statement and identify whether a pre-existing scheme or the Single Public Service Pension Scheme applies. Check pension and lump-sum benefits, retirement-age terms, spouse or dependant benefits, added-service or purchase arrangements and any AVC or PRSA AVC.
| Decision area | What to establish |
|---|---|
| Service record | Are all permanent, temporary, substitute and part-time periods recorded? |
| Retirement date | What benefits are payable at the intended date, and would an early date reduce them? |
| AVCs | How much personal tax-relief capacity remains after ordinary contributions? Review the AVC guide. |
| Income gap | How do expected scheme and State Pension income compare with planned spending? |
Documents to gather before a review
A useful review starts with evidence, not assumptions.
- Latest annual benefit statement and scheme booklet.
- Complete teaching-service history, including breaks and reduced hours.
- Current salary, pensionable allowances and intended retirement date.
- Statements for AVCs and pensions from work outside teaching.
How an advisor can help
An advisor can organise the service history, coordinate the main scheme with AVCs and other pensions, model different retirement dates and help assess whether extra contributions are affordable and proportionate. Scheme administrators remain responsible for confirming the actual public-service entitlement.
What the review should produce
Ask for a clear record of the pensions included, benefits that could be lost, all product and advice charges, the assumptions used, the recommended contribution or retirement strategy and the next review date. A personal recommendation should follow a full fact-find and suitability assessment.
Last reviewed: 21 September 2026. Rules depend on your circumstances.
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