Hi
Looking at options in relation to public sector early retirement for a relative, and find it quite confusing, so would really appreciate some advice here.
Having received the record from the Department of education, it looks like they have both Class A service (5 years from different periods as a teacher early 1990s) and then all Class D service since then, again all employed as a teacher (about 20 years). Currently on Class D. Normal retirement age 60.
They are looking at early retirement options now at age 56. The numbers from the department show amounts for both co-ordinated (for the Class A years) and uncoordinated pensions (for the Class D years). My questions are:
- Given the mix of Class A and Class D service, am I right in thinking the following will apply:
(i) Retire early at age 56: Actuarial reduced pension based on Class D service
(ii) Normal retirement age 60: Supplemental pension starts based on Class A service
(iii) State pension age 68: State pension to be paid based on Class A service (and any other Class A service). Supplemental pension will stop at that stage.
- For the State pension, how do the calculations work? Class A service to date is about 9 years, which combines 5 years as a teacher and a further 4 years private sector work. Relative would expect to continue work in private sector. Let's say they will have 15 years Class A service in total when they get to state pension age 68. Do they get a full state pension based on the 15 years service, or is it some pro-rata? Is the teaching Class A service treated any differently to the private sector Class A service?
- It's not clear why the early teaching service is marked as Class A. Is it possible this is mis-classified? Let's say it was and this is re-classified. Am I right in thinking then that more Class D service would mean a higher early retirement pension now but a lower state pension from age 68? In that case, it might be worth leaving as Class A in the long run?
Thanks for any advice. This is a minefield to work out!
Looking at options in relation to public sector early retirement for a relative, and find it quite confusing, so would really appreciate some advice here.
Having received the record from the Department of education, it looks like they have both Class A service (5 years from different periods as a teacher early 1990s) and then all Class D service since then, again all employed as a teacher (about 20 years). Currently on Class D. Normal retirement age 60.
They are looking at early retirement options now at age 56. The numbers from the department show amounts for both co-ordinated (for the Class A years) and uncoordinated pensions (for the Class D years). My questions are:
- Given the mix of Class A and Class D service, am I right in thinking the following will apply:
(i) Retire early at age 56: Actuarial reduced pension based on Class D service
(ii) Normal retirement age 60: Supplemental pension starts based on Class A service
(iii) State pension age 68: State pension to be paid based on Class A service (and any other Class A service). Supplemental pension will stop at that stage.
- For the State pension, how do the calculations work? Class A service to date is about 9 years, which combines 5 years as a teacher and a further 4 years private sector work. Relative would expect to continue work in private sector. Let's say they will have 15 years Class A service in total when they get to state pension age 68. Do they get a full state pension based on the 15 years service, or is it some pro-rata? Is the teaching Class A service treated any differently to the private sector Class A service?
- It's not clear why the early teaching service is marked as Class A. Is it possible this is mis-classified? Let's say it was and this is re-classified. Am I right in thinking then that more Class D service would mean a higher early retirement pension now but a lower state pension from age 68? In that case, it might be worth leaving as Class A in the long run?
Thanks for any advice. This is a minefield to work out!