Members of the UK’s Teachers’ Pension scheme are bracing themselves for the switchover to a new supplier at the start of next month, amid delays to pensions.
Indian IT giant Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is set to take over the work from Capita after securing a 10-year Department for Education contract in 2023.
Capita has run the service for more than 20 years, but a blackout on the website is planned from 22 October to 2 November as the scheme is transferred to TCS.
MPs heard earlier last month that some teachers are experiencing problems.
In light of Capita’s disastrous takeover of the Civil Service Pension Scheme, a Westminster Hall debate was held, where MPs discussed the botched scheme.
During that packed-out meeting, Alison Bennet, Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Sussex, said she had been told teachers were experiencing problems with their pensions. She asked: “Are we seeing teachers go through the same ordeal [as civil servants]?
“I have received very concerning casework from teachers in my constituency who seem to be having similar or the same troubles with their pensions,” added Bennet. “The idea that the immense stress and potential financial hardship we’ve heard inflicted on civil servants has been [repeated] with teachers is appalling.”
Delays already
A Department for Education spokesperson said the scheme has some “clearly unacceptable” delays. “We understand that delays to bereavement payments can be distressing for families, and we expect Capita to work closely with those affected to resolve issues as quickly as possible and keep them informed throughout,” they said.
The government department confirmed the transfer will be complete on 1 November, with the website and member/employer portal available from 2 November. TCS and Capita were contacted for an update on progress, but the former declined to comment and the latter did not respond.
The Department for Education said bereavement cases are a priority area. It said it “recognises that delays can be distressing for those affected and have worked closely with Capita to monitor performance and drive improvements. This includes reviewing IT contingency arrangements and securing additional resources to help limit delays. Progress continues to be monitored through the department’s contract management arrangements.”
The department is also working closely with TCS as part of the transition to the new administration contract.
Recent figures from the Department for Education show that during the period between 1 April 2026 and 30 June 2026, there were 2,103 bereavement cases involving a continuing entitlement processed by Capita as part of the Teachers’ Pension scheme administration contract. “An average of 89.06% of these cases were completed within the contractual target of seven working days,” it said. “The average completion time was just over eight working days.”
Precautionary advice
Teachers are being advised to make copies of data available as backup. One former teacher who is supporting teachers with concerns said there are thousands of anomalies in the data being transferred that could see teachers lose out. “I have been encouraging teachers to make copies of the data that they have available through the website,” he said. “Downloading their statements and copying their employment history into a spreadsheet.”
Comparing the transfer to the CSPS supplier switch, he said: “I would say that there are similarities but that we do not have the severity of hardship caused by teachers failing to be paid anything that appears to be the case with the civil service pensions for a large number. However, the issue with data husbandry is, and has been, ongoing.
“Unfortunately, I can see TCS might have similar problems once they get full access to all of the data given how many errors are flagged up at the last minute in the process when teachers apply for their pensions,” he added.
