§ Mr. Bill O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the effects of the Government's proposals in the Pensions Bill on the future retirement of school teachers. [186289]
§ Mr. MilibandIn line with proposals in the Pensions Bill, the normal pension age in the Teachers' Pension Scheme will be increased to 65. This will apply to new entrants from 2006 and to the future service of existing teachers from 2013. Teachers will, however, still be able to retire at, before or after age 60 as they do now. Where pension benefits are drawn earlier than the normal pension age, they will be reduced to reflect the fact that the benefits will be in payment for longer.
We are also looking at ways of offering teachers more flexibility in the way they manage the transition from work to retirement as well as examining the scope for increasing the options for teachers who wish to build up higher pension benefits by paying additional contributions during their working life.
§ Mr. Bill O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment has been made by his Department of the changes that will take place in the terms and conditions of the Teacher's Pensions Scheme with the introduction of the Government's new pension proposals; and if he will make a statement. [186290]
§ Mr. MilibandAs part of a package of changes to the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) relating to the increase in the normal pension age (NPA) from 60 to 65, consideration is being given to a number of changes that will improve scheme benefits, increase flexibility and offer greater retirement options for teachers. Suggestions for change to the TPS are included on the TeacherNet website www.teachernet.gov.uk/pensions which will form the basis of a consultation planned to take place during the Autumn term 2004. One of the priorities that has been recognised is the introduction of pension benefits for unmarried partners. It is expected that the introduction of NPA of 65 will enable this improvement to be introduced without an increase in the contribution to the TPS made by individual teachers.
§ Mr. Bill O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions his Department has had with teachers' unions on the impact of the Government's pension proposals; and if he will make a statement. [186291]
§ Mr. MilibandTeachers' Unions, are fully and actively involved in the review of the Teachers' Pension Scheme through their membership of the Teachers' 789W Superannuation Working Party (TSWP) and its subgroup, the Teachers' Pensions Review Group (TPRG), that is taking forward the detailed work on the scheme review. The TPRG has met on five separate occasions during 2004 and the TSWP met on 13 October 2003 and 29 June 2004. Further meetings will take place with the teacher unions throughout the remainder of the scheme review.