Teachers should not have to choose between pension and pay - ASCL

Responding to a report by the Education Policy Institute (EPI), which examines whether teachers would prioritise immediate salary increases over retirement benefits, Pepe Di'Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“Teachers should not be having to choose between a decent pension and decent pay. It should be obvious that they are entitled to both and it is crucial for the future of the education system that this is the case.

“Considering the erosion of teacher pay over the last 15 years, and the fact this is yet to be adequately addressed, it is totally understandable why some teachers would prioritise a higher salary. It is no less than they deserve. But they should not be having to sacrifice pension provision in return and risk being worse of in retirement.

“There is a clear need to boost teacher salaries, in order to attract graduates to the profession and address the recruitment and retention crisis, but this must be done in a way that retains access to the Teachers' Pension Scheme and all the benefits this provides.”