Teachers in UK state-funded schools will automatically be enrolled in the Teachers’ Pensions Scheme, which is often shortened to tps pension. This is one of the perks of being a teacher. This scheme can ensure a stable financial future, but it can be complicated to understand, making planning for retirement confusing. On this page, we clarify everything you need to know about teachers’ pensions and provide insight into how they work. We also look at other options you might want to consider, such as investing and high-interest savings accounts.
The information provided here is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please consult with a licensed financial adviser or professional before making any financial decisions. Your financial situation is unique, and the information provided may not be suitable for your specific circumstances. We are not liable for any financial decisions or actions you take based on this information.
As a teacher myself, I’ve seen lots of confusion about pensions and retirement planning among my colleagues. One question that keeps popping up in the staffroom is whether UK teachers get a state pension alongside their Teachers’ Pension Scheme benefits. Let’s dive into this important topic to clear things up!
The Short Answer: Yes, But There’s More to Know
UK teachers are indeed eligible for the State Pension, just like other UK workers. However, they also have access to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS), which is a separate occupational pension. Understanding how these two work together is crucial for planning your retirement effectively.
Understanding the Two Pension Systems
The State Pension
The State Pension is a government-provided benefit available to anyone who has made sufficient National Insurance contributions throughout their working life. As of 2025
- You need at least 10 qualifying years on your National Insurance record to get any State Pension
- You need 35 qualifying years to get the full new State Pension
- The full new State Pension is currently £221.20 per week (£11,502 per year)
- The State Pension age is gradually increasing and currently stands at 66-67 for most teachers
The Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS)
Teachers automatically join the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, which is one of the best workplace pension plans in the UK, along with the State Pension.
The TPS has undergone changes over the years, with the most recent major reform in April 2015 when it shifted from a final salary scheme to a career average scheme.
How the Teachers’ Pension Scheme Works
As a defined benefit pension scheme, the TPS figures out your pension based on your salary and length of service, not on how much you’ve saved.
Career Average Scheme (Current Scheme)
Since April 2022, all active teaching members contribute to the career average scheme. Here’s how it works:
- Each year, you build up pension worth 1/57th of your pensionable earnings
- This amount is increased annually by inflation plus 1.6%
- These amounts are added together throughout your career to determine your final pension
Example calculation:
If a teacher earns £30,000 in their first year, they’d earn a pension of:
£30,000 × 1/57 = £526 for that year
If inflation is 2%, the total increase would be 3. 6% (inflation plus 1. 6 percent), adding 319 dollars to the pension pot to make it worth 354 dollars at the start of the next year.
Final Salary Scheme (Pre-2015)
If you joined the TPS before April 2015, you may have built up benefits under the final salary scheme. These benefits are protected even though you now contribute to the career average scheme.
- If you joined before January 2007: Pension = 1/80th of final salary × years of service
- If you joined after January 2007: Pension = 1/60th of final salary × years of service
Teacher Pension Contributions
Both you and your employer contribute to your TPS pension. Your contribution rate depends on your salary:
| Salary range (2025-26) | Teacher contribution rate |
|---|---|
| £0-£34,873 | 7.4% |
| £34,873-£46,944 | 8.9% |
| £46,944-£55,661 | 9.9% |
| £55,661-£73,769 | 10.5% |
| £73,769-£100,591 | 11.6% |
| £100,591+ | 12% |
Your employer also makes a significant contribution to your pension, which is a valuable part of your overall compensation package.
When Can Teachers Access Their Pensions?
State Pension
The current age for the State Pension is 66. It will rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028, and then it will rise to 68 in later years. The government website lets you see how old you are to get the State Pension.
Teachers’ Pension
The normal pension age for the TPS depends on when you joined:
- If you joined before January 1, 2007: Age 60
- If you joined after January 1, 2007: Age 65
- For the career average scheme: It’s linked to your State Pension age
How the Two Pensions Work Together
When you retire as a teacher in the UK, you’ll potentially receive income from both sources:
- Your State Pension (currently up to £11,502 per year if you qualify for the full amount)
- Your Teachers’ Pension (based on your salary history and years of service)
These two pensions combined form your retirement income. I’ve found that many teachers don’t realize they’ll receive both, which is why proper retirement planning is so important.
What Happens If You Take a Break from Teaching?
If you have a break in your teaching career, your pension rights will be protected but there are implications:
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State Pension: Gaps in your National Insurance contributions might affect your State Pension entitlement. You can check your National Insurance record online.
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Teachers’ Pension: If you were in the final salary scheme with a normal pension age of 60 and had a break in service of more than five years, your pension age remains at 60 for service before the break but changes to 65 for service after the break.
Death Benefits and Survivor Pensions
Both pension schemes offer benefits to your dependents if you die:
Teachers’ Pension Scheme
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If you die in service: A death grant worth three times your final full-time equivalent salary plus a survivor’s pension worth 37.5% of your pension for your spouse, civil partner or eligible partner.
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If you die after retiring: Your spouse or partner receives your full pension for three months, then 37.5% of your pension thereafter.
State Pension
Surviving spouses or civil partners may be able to inherit some of your State Pension, depending on when you reached State Pension age.
Tips for Maximizing Your Teacher Retirement Benefits
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Check your National Insurance record regularly to ensure you’re on track for the full State Pension.
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Consider making voluntary National Insurance contributions if you have gaps in your record.
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Keep track of your Teachers’ Pension statements to understand what you’re likely to receive in retirement.
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Think carefully before opting out of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme – it’s a valuable benefit with employer contributions.
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Plan for potential gaps between accessing your Teachers’ Pension and your State Pension if they have different access ages.
Common Questions from Teachers
“Can I draw my Teachers’ Pension and still work as a teacher?”
Yes, but there may be restrictions depending on your age and whether you’ve taken your pension early. Check with Teachers’ Pensions before making decisions.
“Will my Teachers’ Pension affect my State Pension?”
No, you’ll receive both pensions independently. However, both are taxable, so your combined income will determine your tax position.
“Should I pay into a private pension too?”
While the TPS is generous, some teachers choose to supplement it with additional private pensions or ISAs for more flexibility. It depends on your personal circumstances and retirement goals.
Wrapping Up
So, to answer the original question clearly: yes, UK teachers do get a State Pension alongside their Teachers’ Pension, providing they’ve made sufficient National Insurance contributions.
Understanding both pension systems is essential for effective retirement planning. The Teachers’ Pension Scheme is one of the most valuable benefits of working in education, but don’t forget about your State Pension entitlement too!
Have you checked your pension forecast lately? It might be worth taking a few minutes to see where you stand!
What is the average teacher’s pension in the UK?
As calculations are unique to each individual, there isn’t really an ‘average’ teachers’ pension in the UK. For example, someone who’s been a member of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme for, say, 30 years, but has never received a senior level salary, might have a lower average or final salary than a colleague who’s been enrolled for less time but has held more senior roles during their career.
Why should I take out a Teachers’ Pension?
Enrolling into the Teachers’ Pension Scheme helps you save for retirement and is one of the benefits of being a teacher. People who don’t have a proper pension often can’t live on their state pension alone because it’s hard to pay for even the most basic things. If you save effectively for your retirement, you can gain more enjoyment from your pension years.
A Teachers’ Pension also offers additional benefits, such as family protection. This protection gives you peace of mind about your long-term pension and your family in case something happens to you (more on that below).
The government protects Teachers’ Pensions, and you have the option to retire early (before the normal pension age), at the age of 55. You’ll also have the option to convert some of your pension into a tax-free lump sum, which can help with luxuries such as travel, paying off your mortgage, or buying a car or other big-ticket items. This is why the tps pension scheme is considered worthwhile by many.