The changing pattern of retirement provision

For many years now superannuation contributions have been a form of deferred salary; but this has only recently been generally recognised and become a bargaining counter by an increasing number of Associations and Unions. What is perhaps not so clear to the contributor is that the pension provided is necessarily related to the average case, and in many instances the provision is not ideal for a particular individual. The actual needs vary from one person to another, and many may have sought to make alternative provision for their own and their potential widow's needs at a time when the conditions of the Teachers' Super‐annuation Scheme were more limited than they are now. A basic pension, which also includes some provision for a widow, is now mandatory for all teachers; but there are many options to enhance or amend the pension provided, and these should be considered by each and every teacher at an early date if full use is to be made of some of the options.