NORTHERN IRELAND TEACHERS' PENSION SCHEME
The NITPS is a statutory scheme subject to the Teachers’ Superannuation Regulations (NI) 1988 (as amended). Full details available from Teachers’ Pensions’ Branch. (028) 7131 9000
The scheme is contributory; both teachers and employers contribute a percentage. The minimum service requirement for the award of pension is two years. It is possible to purchase Additional Pension.
It is a ‘final salary’ scheme providing a lump sum on retirement and regular income after retirement. Pension is index-linked.
For scheme members who began making contributions
(a) prior to 1/4/2007 benefits are calculated:
Pension = service x average salary / 80 Lump Sum = pension x 3
(b)after 1/4/2007 benefits are calculated:
Pension = service x average salary / 60
It is possible to “commute” part of the pension to receive a lump sum up to 25% of the fund value.
Benefits will also be payable on one of two levels if retired on Grounds of Ill Health.
(a) Total Incapacity Benefits (TIB) with service being enhanced by half of service which could have been completed before NPA or
(b) Partial Incapacity Benefits (PIB) with no enhancements. Benefits are also payable to dependants on a member’s death in service.
Normal Pension Age (NPA) for those in the scheme prior to 1 April, 2007 is 60 and 65 for entrants after that date.
From 1/4/2007 it is possible to retire from age 55 but pension/lump sum would be actuarially reduced. A ‘Phased Retirement’ is also possible from age 55 when a member reduces employment by a minimum of 25% and maximum of 75% for at least 12 months prior to NPA. Part of pension will be drawn and subsequently re-valued at NPA.
If you have pension queries or are considering retiring, please contact Ulster Teachers’ Union.
Pensions arrangements pre-2012 remain the same; anything after this the following applies:
CHANGES FROM 1 APRIL 2015 T0 CONTRIBUTION RATES FOR MEMBERS OF THE Nl TEACHERS’ PENSION SCHEME (NITPS)
This circular sets out changes to member contribution rates from 1 April 2015:
• On 1 April 2015, the salary bands applicable to member contributions for the NITPS changed; and
• The method of determining which salary band a member falls into changed, the appropriate contribution rates to be applied are based on a members’ annual salary rate (actual earnings) as opposed to their full-time equivalent (FFE) salary;
These arrangements apply to all members i.e. both those who remain In final salary arrangements and those who move on 1 April 2015 to career average arrangements; Member tiered contribution rates for the NITPS from 1 April 2015 are shown below:
| Actual Annual Pensionable Earnings | Member Contribution Rate |
| Up to £25,999.99 | 7.4% |
| £26,000 to £34,999.99 | 8.6% |
| £35,000 to £41,499.99 | 9.6% |
| £41,500 to £54,999.99 | 10.2% |
| £55,000 to £74,999.99 | 11.3% |
| £75,000 and above | 11.7% |
Further guidance on how to determine which band a member falls into is available on the DENI website:https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/topics/teaching-staff/pension-scheme
NORTHERN IRELAND TEACHERS' PENSION SCHEME – FROM 1ST APRIL 2015
From 1 April 2015 the NITPS changed from a final salary scheme to a Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) Scheme, and the way your pension benefits are calculated may change.
Some members will not be affected by the changes and will remain in final salary arrangements. Others will start to have their benefits calculated using a combination of career average and final salary arrangements. A new entrant who joins the NITPS on or after the 1 April 2015 will have their benefits calculated using career average arrangements only.