Pension contribution rates

Employers are responsible for the collection and payment to SPPA, of all STSS contributions. The Pensions Act 1995 requires contributions to be paid to the scheme within 7 days of the end of the month in which they were deducted from salary.These time scales ensure that monies deducted for pensions are not appropriated for any other purpose and it is very important that these time scales are strictly adhered to.

Pension contributions should be paid by the 7th of the month following deduction from members pay. Employers should log on to the online portal provided by SPPA to record contributions collected each month.

If employers do not complete and forward the relevant submissions, this may mean that employee's pension rights are affected and the employer is acting in breach of the statutory Scheme Regulations and also Section 49 of the Pensions Act 1995.

Under Section 48 of the Pensions Act and Section 70 of the Pensions Act 2004, SPPA have a legal duty to report any 'breaches of law' to the Pensions Regulator.

Employers are advised that the Pensions Regulator is likely to seek information from scheme managers about any breaches which they regard as a criminal offence.

SPPA relies on employers to provide total pensionable salary information both timeously and accurately, either on request, or automatically when completing benefit application forms.

SPPA will contact employers if details are missing.

With effect from 1 April 2024 the employer contribution rate will be 26%.

The regulations do not allow members to be excused from paying contributions that are properly due. Care should be taken therefore to ensure as far as possible that arrears of contributions do not arise.

2.1 Under Deducted Contributions

Where contributions have been under deducted or there has been a delay in inclusion or/and payment, the following action should be taken:

• arrears during a current financial year should be collected as soon as is reasonably possible, either by a lump sum payment or by instalments over a short period.
• in other cases, payment will be made by the member direct to SPPA. If it is known that contributions will be outstanding at retirement, SPPA will deduct these contributions from benefits with permission from the member.
• prompt notification and collection of arrears prevents administrative complications from arising should the member transfer to another employer.
• prompt action by the employer is essential. Only HMRC can advise a member whether or not tax relief is appropriate.

2.2 Over deducted contributions

When contributions have been deducted in error, the employer should adjust the contributions and repay the member as required. No interest is payable.

A part-time member who works hours in addition to their normal contracted hours will be pensionable for those additional hours up to the whole time equivalent. This includes part-time members who have concurrent employments.

Contributions continue to be deducted from salary when a member is receiving reduced pay due to sick leave. The contributions stop, however, when the member comes to the end of this period and goes onto nil pay.

Contributions also stop for other periods of unauthorised absence such as strike days.

Where retirement forms have already been sent to SPPA, any changes in pensionable salary must be notified by the employer to SPPA immediately so that revision action can be taken if appropriate.

Where a member’s pensionable earnings are reduced, the contribution rate continues to be based on their pre-reduction salary rate but they only pay that rate in relation to the actual earnings received. Employer contributions payable whilst a member is on sick leave with a reduction in pay are paid on the actual earning received. Where a member receives SSP only, this is not pensionable. Find out more on Teachers’ Circular 2015/12.

Both the employer and member contributions are based on the full rate sick pay.

Where a member’s pensionable earnings are reduced, the contribution rate continues to be based on their pre-reduction salary rate but they only pay that rate in relation to the actual earnings received. Employer contributions payable whilst a member is on sick leave with a reduction in pay are paid on the actual earning received. Find out more on Teachers’ Circular 2015/12.

Where is a member is on unpaid sick leave, no contributions are due. Where a member receives Statutory Sick Pay only, this is not pensionable. Find out more on Teachers’ Circular 2015/12.

Where a member is absent from duty on maternity/paternity/adoption leave, such absence is treated as pensionable employment so long as the member receives a salary. The following guidelines apply:

• member resigns at the outset (leaver form to be submitted)
• member is regarded as being in pensionable employment up to the last day of his or her contract
• member takes maternity leave and then returns to duty
• any period of maternity leave for which the member receives pay or Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is classed as pensionable employment
• member does not return to duty after maternity leave
• leaver form to be completed, pensionable employment will be treated as having ended at the end of the paid maternity leave
• member takes paternity leave
• any period of paternity leave for which the member receives full salary or statutory pay is classed as pensionable employment. Where the member receives no pay, that period does not count as pensionable employment and must be shown as a period on non-contributing service
• member takes adoption leave
• any period of adoption leave for which the member receives full salary or statutory pay is classed as pensionable employment. Where the member receives no pay, that period does not count as pensionable employment and should be shown as days excluded.
• If the circumstances for an individual member differ from the above and it is not clear what service should be regarded as pensionable under the STSS, please contact SPPA for advice.

An employee who chooses to have "Keep in Touch Days" should have contributions deducted on the pay actually received. Employer's contributions are based on the member's normal salary.

Any arrears of pension contributions can be collected when the member returns to work.

Scheme benefits are based on pensionable salary and membership (otherwise known as service).

There are a number of occasions when a total pensionable salary will be required, e. g. benefit estimates and awards, transfer estimates and payments or credits, AVC quotes and purchases etc.

Paid notice should not be confused with payments made in lieu of notice and employers are advised to work on the following basis:

• the period reckons as contributing membership
• pension contributions should be deducted on the full amount.