Check that you qualify for pension benefits

To qualify for any of the benefits offered by your pension scheme when you retire, you must have completed:

• at least five years’ pensionable employment (at any time) if you joined before 5 April 1988
• at least two years’ pensionable employment if you joined after 5 April 1988
• two years’ pensionable employment at any time, if you were in pensionable employment on 6th April 1988.

Part-time work

The period you work part-time counts towards pension qualification. But only the days you actually work will count towards your benefits. For example, working half-time for a year is one year's qualification, but only six months for calculating benefits.

Qualifying service

Qualifying service can be built up in either:

• The Scottish Teachers’ Superannuation Scheme
• The Scottish Teachers’ Pension Scheme 2015, or;
• a combination of both.

Pension rights that have been transferred from another scheme may also count towards your qualifying service.

Work out when you can retire

Your normal pension age depends on which scheme (or schemes) you're in.  The earliest you can take benefits from your scheme is when you reach the minimum pension age, unless you're granted ill health benefits.

Check your pension ages:

Consider how you want to take your benefits

Scottish Teachers' Superannuation Scheme

If you have benefits in this scheme and your NPA is 60, you will receive a combination of annual pension plus a compulsory tax-free lump sum. You will also have the option to give up part of your pension to increase your lump sum.

If your NPA is 65, you won't receive an automatic lump sum. You do have the option to convert up to 25% of your fund value (calculated at retirement) from your pension as a tax-free lump sum.

Scottish Teachers' Pension Scheme 2015

Members of the 2015 scheme won't receive an automatic lump sum. You do have the option to convert up to 25% of your fund value (calculated at retirement) from your pension as a tax-free lump sum.

Taking a tax-free lump sum

You can voluntarily give up part of your pension in the form of a tax-free lump sum. For every £1 of pension you give up you'll receive £12 as a tax-free lump sum. The maximum you can take is 25% of your fund value, this is also known as "pension commutation".

To get an estimate of your benefits on retirement we have calculators you can use. You will be able to see your lump sum options and change the date to suit your circumstances.

Lump sum information if you are retiring after age 75

If you apply for your pension before reaching age 75 and are retiring within 12 months a lump sum can be paid.

No lump sum can be paid if you apply for your pension after age 75.

If you apply after age 75, any lump sum is converted into an additional pension, there will be no cost of living increase to your lump sum before conversion.

What about early retirement?

There are three types of early retirement;

• Premature where you’re retired prematurely because of redundancy or in the interests of service efficiency;
• Actuarially reduced pension (ARP) where you request to retire earlier than your normal pension age, or;
• Phased where you continue working but with reduced hours

Premature

Premature retirement is an option if you’re made redundant or retire in the interest of efficiency. You must have reached minimum pension age (55) and have at least two years’ continuous service. 

Your pension from SPPA would be reduced as you're retiring early. So, your employer must agree to pay the remaining pension up to your full pension amount.

Actuarially reduced pension (ARP)

If you choose voluntary early retirement, your benefits will be reduced to take into account the fact they will be paid over a longer period of time. 

If you were in pensionable employment on or after 1 July 2002, you’re able to take your pension benefits early. This can be anytime between your 55th birthday and your normal pension age.

Phased

Phased retirement allows you to reduce your working commitment and release part of your pension. To qualify for phased retirement, you must:

• be aged 55 and over (and under 75 for those in the CARE scheme);
• be a member in pensionable employment who has qualified for retirement benefits
• submit an application within 3 months of the salary reduction taking place.
• The reduction in salary must be effective from the chosen phased retirement date.

With phased retirement, you can take up to 75% of your total retirement benefits. To do this, you must reduce your pensionable salary by at least 20% for a minimum of 12 months.

This can be done by reducing the number of hours worked or by moving to a post of lesser responsibility. If you have multiple part time contracts, you can reduce your salary by terminating one of your contracts or by reducing them all.

If you’re an STSS scheme member, you can take two phased retirements before finally retiring. 2015 scheme members can have three phases before retiring but only two can be before age 60.

Complete your pension application form

Your application should be received by the SPPA at least four months before you want to start taking benefits from the scheme.

If you’re employed, You will need to agree with your employer your date of retirement. Your employer will provide your application form (as they have to complete section two). 

If you aren’t currently employed, you can access the retirement application -  TEACH:RET on our forms page. 

You’ll need a separate form for each employment and please take time to carefully read the guidance notes. 

If you are not currently employed as a teacher, you will need to provide proof of identity. This can be your birth certificate or another form of ID such as a driving licence or passport.

Please state the date you would like your Scottish Teachers' pension to be payable from.

Your awarding documents will be emailed to you once your award calculation has been processed and authorised.

Please be aware that this may be immediately prior to your date of retirement or in some cases immediately before the last banking day of the month if your retirement date is early in the month. Below is an outline of the stages your award will follow during the application and calculation process:

1. When we receive your application we will send you an acknowledgement. This could be by email. 
2. Your application is then allocated to a Case Officer for calculation. 
3. Your service and salary details are thoroughly checked which may require us to contact your previous or current employer(s). 
4. If you have requested “further information” on the “lump sum choice” section of the application form, we will send this information to you prior to your pension being authorised for you to make your choice. 
5. Once we have completed your calculation, your award is referred for authorisation.
6.  After your benefits have been authorised, your award documents will be emailed to you.

(Please check spam, junk or deleted items folders in case your mailbox has directed them there instead of your Inbox).

Information about going back to work after retirement 

Application Form

Your application should be received by the SPPA four months before you want to start taking benefits from the scheme.

If you’re employed, You will need to agree with your employer your date of retirement. Your employer will provide your application form (as they have to complete section two). 

Teachers Application Form

Guidance for completing the Application form

Part 1

Section 1

Your personal details, the type of retirement you are applying for and some employment information.

Please use your personal email address.

Section 2

Your bank details, this is the account we will pay your pension and lump sum to. The account must be in your name however this can be a joint account.

Section 3

Details of your marital status, spouse, civil partner/partner. This is in case there are any benefits due in the event of your death. This information will be included in your awarding letter detailing your pension benefits.

You can make and check your nominations on our online service.

Section 4

Lump Sum Choice (Pension Commutation)

If you have benefits in the STSS scheme and your NPA is 60, you will receive a combination of annual pension plus a compulsory tax-free lump sum. You will also have the option to give up part of your pension to increase your lump sum.

If your NPA is 65 or you're a member of the 2015 scheme, you won't receive an automatic lump sum. You will have the option to take up to 25% of your pension benefits as a tax-free lump sum.

We can provide a lump sum (commutation) quote before you make your decision, just tick the box marked ‘further information required’ and we will send this to you.

Section 5

Details of any Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC’s) you have, this can be from any other provider.

Section 6

Past Added Years and Additional Pension Benefits

If you have a contract to purchase added years, you have the option to purchase the remaining added years in your contract before you retire.

If you have a contract to purchase additional pension you will be credited with your benefits up to your date of retirement, but you do not have the option to purchase the remaining benefits.

Section 7

2015 Remedy

If you are eligible for remedy and you are retiring before 1 October 2023, you will not be offered an immediate choice for any pension built up between 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2022.

Your pension will be calculated on current terms and you will be eligible to receive a retrospective choice on or after 1 October 2023. If this choice leads to a change in your pension entitlement, any additional pension and lump sum will be backdated to your original retirement date

Section 8

Lump Sum Recycling, Provide details of any intended lump sum for recycling. If you are going to use your lump sum to fund another pension.

Further guidance and details of restrictions are available from HMRC

Section 9

Continuing Employment or Re-Employment as a teacher 

If you intend to return to work or continue to work for as a teacher, please read Going back to work

Section 10

Declaration Once you have completed the form, and checked it over, sign and date here.