Transcript NOW IS THE TIME! - National Union of Teachers

Why we are planning to take
action on 30 November
• The Government wants you to pay more,
work longer and get less during retirement
• Despite the Government’s claims, our
pensions are affordable
• Government concessions on 2 November
are welcome - but not enough
• NUT action on 30 June helped to secure
those concessions
• Now we can join millions of other public
sector workers in showing we oppose the
Government’s plans
Pay more, work longer, get less
• Increased contributions
• A 50% rise, from 6.4% to an average 9.6%, starting in 2012
• Higher normal pension ages
• Under 34? Work till 68 for a full pension
• Aged 34 to 42? Work till 67
• Aged 43 to 48? Work till 66
• A lower pension at retirement
• Accrual rate 1/60, same as post 2007 TPS
• Career average means less for every teacher
• Further losses in retirement
• CPI inflation link takes £35,000 from teachers with the
average £10,00 pension
What will I lose?
• Use the NUT pensions calculator at
www.teachers.org.uk/pensions to see:
• How much you’ll lose from your take home pay
• How long you’ll have to work for your full pension
• How much you’ll lose from your pension if you
nevertheless retire at the current pension age
• How much you’ll lose over a 25 year retirement
due to lower pensions and lower indexation
• If you’re 50+ at 1/4/2012 - your pension at current
pension age will be protected, but you’ll still pay
more and lose out from lower indexation
Are our pensions affordable?
• Yes – the TPS has already been reformed as
a result of our agreement in 2006!
• Reliable sources show the costs are already
falling as planned
• We’ve agreed to pay more – but only if the
increase is justified, not to help pay the
costs of the recession
• Teachers’ pensions aren’t “gold plated”
• Continuing our campaign will strengthen our
hand in our negotiations and persuade the
Government to move further
The real pensions problem
• The private sector
• Two-thirds of workers have no scheme
• 90% of final salary schemes are closed
• Employers’ contributions cut by more than half
• The result – higher costs to the State and
future taxpayers
• Cutting public sector pensions just makes
everyone poorer in retirement
• We need decent pensions for all!
What you can do
• Hold a workplace meeting – open to all - to discuss
the issues and prepare for 30 November
• Use the pensions loss calculator at
www.teachers.org.uk/pensionscalc
• View the powerpoint , briefings and video at
www.teachers.org.uk/pensions
• Work with other unions’ reps and members
• Recruit any non union members to the NUT - use the
free membership offer
• Build NUT activity to ensure successful strike action
• Encourage colleagues to attend the nearest rally on
30 November
• Good luck and thanks!