About Us

Background

The Teachers' Retirement Agency (TRA) is run by a highly experienced consultancy team, all with a background in education, having helped thousands of teachers over many years to prepare for retirement. All the individuals within the consultancy team have held senior positions in education, and have written articles and provided advice on retirement planning for various publications including the Times Educational Supplement.

The highly acclaimed 'Planning for Retirement' one-day course was originally organised by the University of Leeds and consisted of a number of seminars on important aspects of retirement. The University decided that all its short courses had to lead to accreditation and unfortunately retirement planning did not fall into this category. As a result, the Teachers' Retirement Agency was formed to take over the administration and delivery of the same course.

'Planning for Retirement' one-day course

'Planning for Retirement' addresses the issues important to teachers as they approach retirement. For most teachers the decision to retire focuses primarily on financial considerations and as such much of the one-day course is dedicated to this area. The course is broken down into sessions, which are delivered in an informative and often amusing manner. Financial issues that are discussed and explained include:

• The Teachers' Pension Scheme and AVC Options
• State Pension and Other Benefits
• Actuarially Reduced Pensions
• Money Management and Budgeting
• Investing for Growth / Income
• Ensuring Financial Security for Retirement
• Private Medical Insurance
• Effective Estate Planning, Wills and Inheritance Tax

Changes to the Teachers' Pensions Scheme, the ever increasing work load and stress on individuals in education and the decreasing support offered by the government all interact to place even greater emphasis on the individual’s need to become financially self sufficient. Actuarial reductions to pension schemes, the availability of the Stakeholder Pension and demographic shifts within our society make financial planning for retirement ever more important.

The financial speakers are highly experienced Independent Financial Advisers with many years experience of working with the education profession. As expert financial advice is the key to a successful retirement, delegates are offered the opportunity of an individual one-to-one consultation by appointment with our recommended retirement specialists. During this consultation an individual tailor-made plan is provided with appropriate recommendations for ensuring financial security. These consultations are offered without cost or obligation to all delegates.

Although financial considerations are the key to a successful retirement they are not exclusive. As such the course leader, one of a team of specialist retirement consultants in the field of education, will discuss life after retirement examining areas such as: -

• Changing Relationships
• Maintaining Good Health
• New Beginnings
• Employment Opportunities

The informal and relaxed atmosphere allows delegates to share their fears and concerns amongst their peers realising that they are 'not alone' in facing this challenge. Feedback from previous courses has been universally positive (see our testimonials page) and many delegates attend the course on the basis of recommendation.

'Planning for Retirement' in-school seminar

There's no time like the present to start thinking about the future. That's why many teachers who are still some way off retirement want to learn more about pension planning and related issues so that they are better prepared and informed.

The in-school seminar typically lasts for 2-3 hours and is usually run on an inset day or other appropriate day to minimise disruption of teaching time. The in-school seminar is not intended as a replacement for the one-day course, but instead is aimed at a mixed career-stage delegation with a focus primarily on financial issues.

The in-school seminar presents delegates with factual information on the State Pension and the Teachers' Pension Scheme. Additionally, the seminar provides generic information on the issues most relevant to teachers including AVC's & ARB's (or ARP's), Money Management and Budgeting, Investing for Growth / Income, Ensuring Financial Security up to and during retirement and Private Medical Insurance.

The seminars not only bring about a clearer understanding of the various pension and investment options available to teachers but can also save a considerable amount of money by re-assessing an individual's current financial situation.

Further details and arrangements regarding these courses are available from the TRA Head Office 0845 644 2585 or on our course content page.