Pensions and Retirement
There are currently three different primary teacher pension schemes: –
- The Old Entrant Pension Scheme – teachers who began teaching up to 1st April 2004 joined this scheme.
- The New Entrant Pension Scheme – teachers who began teaching between 1st April 2004 to 1 January 2013 joined this scheme.
- The Single Public Service Pension – teachers who began teaching from 1 January 2013 – to the present date are members of this scheme.
A teacher will remain in the pension scheme they started teaching under unless they have a break in service of 26 weeks. If a teacher has a 26 week break in service they move to the newest pension scheme at the time when they return to teaching.
What is a Break in Service for Pension Purposes?
A break in service is where for a teacher resigned and was out of employment/contract (or working as a substitute teacher) and did not work for 26 weeks or more.
- If you were a member of the Old Entrant Pension Scheme and had a break between 2004 and 2012, you would have moved into the New Entrant Pension on your return.
- If you had a break in service from 2013 onwards then you move into the Single Public Service Pension Scheme upon your return to teaching.
NOTE: Approved leave is not a break, i.e. career break, maternity, parental, carer’s leave, sick leave etc. are approved leave types and therefore are not viewed as a break in service.
Updated August 2023
Overview of Teachers’ Pension Schemes
Teachers’ Pension Scheme
Old Entrant Commenced Employment up to 31 March 2004 |
Teachers’ Pension Scheme
New Entrant Commenced Employment from 1 April 2004 – Class A PRSI |
Single Public Service Pension Scheme
Commenced Employment from 1 January 2013 – Class A PRSI |
If teacher only has Class D PRSI they will receive their pension in full from the Department of Education.
If teacher has any Class A PRSI they will receive a co-ordinated pension, i.e. DE pay a portion and Department of Social Protection pay a portion (pension is calculated based on final salary)
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Will receive a co-ordinated pension, i.e. DE pay a portion and Department of Social Protection pay a portion
(pension is calculated based on final salary) |
Will receive a co-ordinated pension i.e. DE pay a portion and Department of Social Protection pay a portion
(pension is calculated based on career average salary) |
Compulsory retirement at age 70 | No compulsory retirement age | Compulsory retirement at age 70 |
Full pension after 40 Years | Full pension after 40 years | Lump sum and pension calculated based on pensionable remuneration in each pay period. |
Normal Retirement at age 60 irrespective of service (minimum of 2 years) | Normal Retirement at age 65 irrespective of service (minimum of 2 years) | Normal Retirement age is the same as the eligibility age for the Contributory State Pension – currently age 66 |
Voluntary Retirement from age 55 onwards provided minimum 35 years’ service (See Voluntary Early Retirement) | Any retirement between age 55 and age 65 on a cost neutral basis only | Any retirement between age 55 and 66 on a cost neutral basis only |
Cost Neutral Retirement Available from Age 50 | Cost Neutral Retirement Available from Age 55 | Cost Neutral Retirement Available from Age 55 |
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Augmenting UK State Pension entitlement
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Pension – Old Entrant Pension Scheme
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Pension – New Entrant Pension Scheme
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Pension – Single Public Service Pension Scheme
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INTO Guide to Pensions
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Retirement Planning
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Disability / Ill Health Retirement
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Resignation
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Death in Service / Retirement
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Pensions and Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI)
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Transferring of Superannuation/Pension Rights
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Service Abroad and Incremental Credit
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Retired Teachers’ Association
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Additional Superannuation Contribution (ASC)
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Spouses’ and Children’s Pension Scheme