Teachers retire under various schemes, dependent on their respective circumstances. Under the Early Retirement Scheme for Teachers, Retirement at the end of the 2007/2008 School Year, applicable in this particular case, there were three strands.
Strand 1 applies to permanent teachers with not less than 15 years whole time or actual pensionable service, and who are consistently experiencing professional difficulties in their teaching duties. Strand 2 relates to permanent teachers whose retirement will provide their school with an opportunity to enhance the education service provided through facilitating changes and the teacher must be aged 55 years or more and have a minimum of 20 years wholetime or actual pensionable service. Strand 3 applies to permanent teachers who are in posts which are surplus to requirement and from which they may not readily be redeployed and which will not be filled should they leave the post. Teachers who have less than 5 years of actual pensionable service, will not, however qualify for a pension.
The strand under which the person to whom the Deputy refers retired, does not allow for return to teaching, and there is no derogation from this. A declaration is signed at retirement to accept the terms of the retirement. There are no plans to amend the rules of this scheme.
Officials from the Pension Unit of my department will make direct contact with the person concerned to provide further clarification to them in relation to the terms of their retirement.
