Teachers Who Exited TSC for Universities Jobs Allowed Pension Access at Age 60
Teachers who left their positions to join public universities can now access their pensions upon reaching the retirement age of 60, as directed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
The TSC communicated this through a letter dated July 5, 2024, to the Director of Pensions at the National Treasury.
The TSC acknowledged that the mandatory retirement age for university lecturers is 75 years. Consequently, lecturers who leave a public university before this age can only do so through resignation since no other exit methods are applicable in their setup.
Pension Act Considerations
The TSC emphasized the necessity of treating resignations as voluntary retirements, allowing these teachers to access their benefits.
They argued that under the Pension Act Cap 189, it is fair to presume that teachers who resign after reaching the qualifying age are taking voluntary retirement.
This ensures that they are not deprived of benefits earned during their service under the Commission.
The TSC letter further clarified that resignation should be considered a valid mode of exiting service with retirement benefits.
“It is therefore prudent in the spirit of the provisions of the Pension Act Cap 189 that such teachers who resign after attaining the minimum qualifying age to be presumed as having taken voluntary retirement. This will ensure that such teachers are not deprived of their benefits for the period of service under the Commission,” reads the letter from TSC.
This decision is based on the conditions under which teachers were transferred to university service.
Specifically, the pension from their teaching service is suspended until they qualify for retirement under their respective pension schemes.
The TSC provided this information to support cases where teachers leaving public universities before the mandatory retirement age still need access to their pensions.
Government’s Role in Retirement Benefits
The government ensures retirement benefits for public officers as part of their service terms, aiming to provide social security in old age, in line with Article 43(1)(e) of the Constitution.
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The Pension Act (Cap 189) regulates the payment of pensions, gratuities, and other allowances for public service officers.
These benefits facilitate a smooth transition from active service with employment income to retirement with a stable income, preventing a drastic change in the standard of living for public officers in their old age.
Teachers Who Exited TSC for Universities Jobs Allowed Pension Access at Age 60
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