Catalogue description Board of Education and successors: University Branch and Pensions Branch: Teachers' Superannuation, Registered Files (PEN Series)

In code number order. From piece No. 105 onwards, however, the list is arranged in numerical file number order.

The "Pen. General" series of files links a subject heading to an individual number in a consecutive block commencing at Pen. 400. The files include documents registered under an earlier system which merely allotted the next available serial number to a paper on any subject, starting afresh each year.

Prior to 1899 the superannuation benefits of teachers depended upon minutes of the Committee of the Privy Council on Education; they were limited in number and small in amount. The Elementary School Teachers (Superannuation) Act of 1898 provided for deferred annuities, superannuation allowances and disablement allowances, the teacher being required to contribute a sum each year to the Deferred Annuity Fund. The Act was practically limited in its application to certificated teachers in public elementary schools.

The School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918, introduced a much more generous system of allowances, which provided for death gratuities and short service gratuities. These benefits were extended to uncertificated teachers and teachers in all schools aided by the Board of Education, including training colleges. Existing certificated teachers had the option of remaining under local pensions schemes.

This system was non-contributory, but a temporary charge of 5 per cent of salary was imposed upon the teacher in 1922, and this was made permanent by the Teachers (Superannuation) Act, of 1925, an equal contribution of 5 per cent being required from the employer.

The omission from the 1925 Act of a medical examination as a condition of benefit involved modifications in various Regulations of the Board. Educational organisers were afforded the option of transferring from the local pension scheme (if any) to the scheme under the Act.

Under the Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1937, teachers were able to allocate part of their pensions to dependants in accordance with the Allocation of Pensions Rules. Since this date Pensions (Increases) Acts were passed in 1944, 1947 and 1952.