Many teachers who retired this summer are experiencing delays in receiving pension payments that were due at the start of September. Several educators have reported issues with the Teachers’ Pensions scheme, which administers pensions on behalf of the government, citing backlogs and inadequate communication.
Sally Close, a retired teacher from south London, mentioned that she had not yet received her tax-free pension lump sum or her first monthly pension payment. After 25 years in education, she expected a lump sum of around £36,000 and a monthly pension of approximately £1,000, with a payable date set for September 1. She expressed frustration over the lack of clarity about when these funds would be disbursed.
Another retired teacher, Nicky Caveney, also did not receive her expected lump sum of £65,000, leading her to feel anxious about financial obligations during a planned holiday. Similarly, a teacher named Caroline, who taught for 30 years, reported uncertainty about the timing and amount of her expected pension funds, which she relies on to manage her mortgage.
Administrative issues at Teachers’ Pensions have also been highlighted, with prior reports indicating complications for individuals undergoing divorce and the surviving partners of deceased teachers. The scheme is one of the largest pension schemes in the UK, serving over 2.2 million members, and is currently administered by Capita, although management is set to transition to Tata Consultancy Services in 2026.
In response to the concerns raised, Capita acknowledged ongoing delays, citing various reasons which included complications from transitional protection decisions and incomplete applications. A Department for Education spokesperson expressed confidence in Capita’s handling of pension inquiries, while recognition has been given to the impact of a recent court ruling concerning public sector pensions, which has added to administrative workloads.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/sep/19/newly-retired-uk-teachers-delays-teachers-pension