Scotland’s largest teaching union calls for review on pension age link

Scotland’s largest teaching union has called for the UK Government to review the link between Normal Pension Age (NPA) and State Pension Age (SPA).

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) has joined with education unions across the UK in calling for the UK Government to review the link.

In a joint letter to James Murray, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, the UK’s education unions have called for a review of the link between NPA and SPA in the context of life expectancy in the UK falling in 2024 to its lowest point in a decade.

Normal Pension Age is the age at which employees normally become eligible to access their occupational pension, while State Pension Age is the age at which individuals can access their state pension.

The link between NPA and SPA was a part of pensions reform enacted in 2015 by the then-Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government following the 2011 Hutton Review of public sector pensions.

EIS salaries committee convener, Des Morris, said: “The Conservative/Liberal Democrat pension reforms mean that teachers in Scotland must now work significantly longer than before in order to access their full pension.

“Such a situation, in the context of increasing physical and mental strains placed upon teachers during their career, as well as decreasing life expectancy, is unjust and unfair.

“It is unacceptable that despite Lord Hutton’s recommendation for regular reviews of the NPA/SPA link being accepted by the UK government 14 years ago, no such review has taken place.

“The EIS stands in solidarity with education unions across the UK in calling for the current UK government to commit to review the link between NPA and SPA, as a first step in delivering pensions justice for teachers and educators.”

HM Treasury has been approached for comment.