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 Increasing your spouse's benefits

 
  Q How can I increase my spouse's or dependants benefits?   Different benefits apply if you are Male or Female

If you are a Married Man

All service from 1 April 1972 automatically counts for family benefits. Service before April 1972 may be bought in to provide bigger family benefits, but only if certain conditions are met.

  • If you were in pensionable service between 26 June 1973 and 19 December 1975, you had the option to purchase previous service for widows' benefits.
  • If you left pensionable service before 26 June 1973 or were in pensionable service for less than 6 months during the option period, you can elect within 6 months of re-entry into pensionable service to buy-in the pre-April 1972 service.
  • If you were out of service during the option period and have since remarried, you can make an election within 6 months of the date of re-marriage.

If you are a Married Woman

Only service from 6 April 1988 counts for family benefits. Service before then may be bought in to provide bigger benefits, but only if the following conditions are met.

  • If you were in pensionable service between 1 July 1989 and 30 June 1990, you had the option to purchase previous service for widowers' benefits.
  • If you left pensionable service before 1 July 1989 or were in pensionable service for less than 6 months during the options period, you can elect within 6 months of re-entry into pensionable service to buy-in the pre-April 1988 service.
  • If you were out of service during the option period and you have since remarried, you can make an election within 6 months of the date of re-marriage.
  
     

Allocation

 
  Q Can I give up part of my pension to provide a better pension for my spouse?   Yes if you are in good health, you may give up (allocate) part of your own pension in order to provide a better pension for your widow, widower or other nominated dependant. 
You must apply in writing 3 months before your retirement or your reaching age 60. 		 
     

Security

 
  Q How safe is my pension?   Very safe.
By law, all benefits must be paid if you or your dependants satisfy the conditions of the scheme.
There is no superannuation fund which could suffer loss from theft or fraud.

The Regulation allow the Secretary of State at his or her discretion to withhold a pension in whole or in part only if you as a teacher were to be convicted of a serious crime such as treason, certain offences under the Official Secrets Act, or an offence liable to lead to serious loss of confidence in the public service.

 
     

Inflation

  
  Q What about inflation?   In the Scottish Teachers' Superannuation Scheme your benefits are fully inflation-proofed.

Your pension (including any preserved pension) is increased annually in line with increases in the cost of living so that its original purchasing power is maintained.

This is often referred to as "index-linking". The increases are paid with effect from the same date as increases in State social security benefits, i.e. annually in April.

 
     

State Pension

  
  Q Do I still qualify for a State pension?   You will qualify for the basic flat-rate  "old age pension".

You are contracted out of the  State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) which means that your Teachers Superannuation Scheme has been adjusted to include the SERPS component.

CJR Associates can provide you with a Retirement Pension Benefit Forecast.

 
     

 

  

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