ASCL will consider latest pension scheme proposals

20 December 2011

After a prolonged and often difficult period of negotiations over the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, ASCL has agreed to give active consideration to a set of proposals for a reformed scheme to be introduced in 2015. If this document meets the approval of ASCL’s Executive, following consultation with the wider membership, this agreement will provide the basis upon which further negotiations will take place in the new year.

Whilst this agreement represents an improvement upon the original offer made by the government it is not a final ‘deal’ as some factors are yet to be finalised and there are eight significant areas which need to be discussed.

ASCL General Secretary Brian Lightman said:

“Throughout this process ASCL has been deeply frustrated and disappointed with the attitude and approach of the Treasury. First they imposed changes to the existing pension scheme, increasing contribution rates and changing the inflator from RPI to CPI, without any negotiation.  In the recent discussions their constantly changing position has delayed and hampered  the negotiation process. Nevertheless, after a prolonged and often difficult period of negotiations, we have made progress.”

“The proposed design of the new scheme does go some way to addressing our concerns. Teachers will, in these revised proposals, be able to retire before they reach the age of 68 and accrue a better pension than they would have done under the original proposals. This is not a done deal but we believe that it merits serious consideration, and therefore we will be consulting members and our Executive in January. If it meets with approval, it will provide the basis upon which further negotiations will take place in the new year.”

On the Local Government Pension Scheme proposals, Brian Lightman said:

“It must be remembered that thousands of support staff in schools and colleges are in the local government scheme rather than the teachers’ scheme and are being represented in separate negotiations. We are continuing to urge the Treasury to ensure that all workers in education get a fair deal on pensions. We believe that the principles put forward will provide a positive framework for negotiations in the new year.”