[Posiesmum]

I contributed to the TPS (teachers’ pension) and although I could have retired in my 50s the benefits would have been seriously reduced. I lasted until 61. The pension is by no means generous but the lump sum allowed us to pay off our mortgage and live debt free. The public sector pay is much lower than what I could achieve in the private sector, but it was where my heart lay. I won’t get my state pension until 66.