§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if provision exists for teachers to take early retirement without the need for schools to top up their pensions, on the occasions when such teachers are prepared to accept actuarially reduced pensions; and if he will make a statement. [71138]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThere is no current provision in the Teachers' Pensions Regulations for teachers to take an actuarially reduced pension at their own request. Whether such a provision should be introduced was included in the Terms of Reference of the Working Group undertaking the Long Term Examination of the Teachers' Pension Scheme. I anticipate receiving the Working Group's report and recommendations on this question in the very near future.