Legal action has been launched against the government over “unacceptable” pension delays for divorced and retiring teachers. Law firm Leigh Day has launched a legal claim on behalf of current and former NASUWT union members who have waited several months to secure Teachers鈥� Pension Scheme valuations. Without them, TPS members are unable to reach financial settlements in divorce proceedings or effectively plan for retirement, the lawyers said. They are demanding an apology and compensation from the Department for Education and Capita Pension Solutions, which administers the scheme on the government鈥檚 behalf. Dr Patrick Roach NASUWT general secretary Dr Patrick Roach stated the 鈥渦nacceptable delays鈥� have placed 鈥渇inancial and emotional burdens on teachers鈥�. 鈥淭eachers who have dedicated their careers to public service deserve better than to be left in limbo. The time for excuses is over. 鈥淭he government and Capita must act urgently to resolve these issues, provide compensation to those affected, and ensure that such failures are not repeated in the future.鈥� The valuations, called cash-equivalent transfer values (CETVs), determine a pension pot鈥檚 worth. They are often needed for divorce proceedings and retirement planning. But Leigh Day said the delays 鈥渉ave left thousands of current and former teachers waiting over six months for a response鈥�. TPS: 80% of pension backlog cleared It is understood this has forced some to remain in properties with partners where there has been a complete breakdown in relationships. Regulations say CETV calculations must be provided within three months of the applicant鈥檚 request or, in exceptional circumstances, six months. Leigh Day believes the 鈥渙ngoing failures of Capita are in breach of its statutory obligations to members of the scheme鈥�. NASUWT members 鈥渁ffected by delays of more than three months in receiving a CETV calculation may be entitled to compensation鈥�. Ryan Bradshaw, of Leigh Day, said: 鈥淭his backlog must be cleared immediately, and those affected deserve compensation for their financial losses and the stress endured. 鈥淲ithout proper accountability and reform, this situation sets a dangerous precedent for how we value and treat our public servants.鈥� Capita declined to comment. However in an update , the TPS apologised for the delays and said it had 鈥渕ade significant progress to reduce the backlog that built up whilst the necessary guidance was developed鈥�. Eighty per cent of those CETVs have been issued. It attributed the delays to the need to draw up new guidance after rule changes which meant it had to calculate pension values in a different way. Capita, which has managed TPS for 27 years, will hand over the contract to Tata Consultancy in October. DfE has been approached for comment.
Alex 25 March 2025 I experienced this a few years ago – and it is sad to see that things haven’t materially improved. Like the Student Loan company they seem to be very hard to deal with.