PENSIONS: DON’T OPT OUT!

Retirement seems a long way away. But making sure you have a good pension is the most important thing you can do to sort out your financial future.

The Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) is a final salary scheme – the most generous type of UK pension. You can get a secure pension and a tax-free cash lump sum based on your final salary as a teacher. On top of this, you get ill-health retirement, death and family benefits. Your pension benefits are also protected against inflation and guaranteed by the government. Remember your employer pays 14.1 per cent of your salary towards your benefits, so not joining is like turning down free money.

The NUT’s firm advice is that teachers should be in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. Don’t opt out!

 

NON-CONTACT TIME –

ARE YOU GETTING ENOUGH?

Did you know that during your induction year, you are entitled to a teaching timetable of not more than “90 per cent of the time a teacher at the school who does not receive points of responsibility would be expected to teach”, in accordance with the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document? This is in addition to your 10 per cent PPA time.

If you are not getting enough non-contact time, contact the NUT representative in your school or the NUT office.

 

MOBILE MATTERS

Just a warning – don’t give out your mobile telephone number to pupils. The NUT has had to deal with casework for teachers who have found themselves being pestered by pupils sending them unwanted voice, text and picture messages.

 

WHO’S WHO IN YOUR LOCAL ASSOCIATION

General Secretary: Ian Murch

Assistant Secretary: Jane Rendle

Treasurer: John Howarth

Information Officer: Stuart Davies

Health and Safety Advisers: Miriam Murch & Stuart Davies

Office Administrator: Lynne Thornton

Our office is generally open between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday during term time. Occasionally we are unable to get to the phone but if you leave a message we will get back to you as quickly as possible.