If you work part time you need to be aware of a number of factors

• Pay and Membership

Each period you build up as a part timer is scaled down, depending on how many hours you work. If you change your hours, each period will count as a different block of membership. When you leave, we will add all the blocks of membership together to get your total membership. But remember, whether you are part time or full time, your full time equivalent remuneration is used to calculate your retirement benefits.

For example -  if you work 18.5 hours for 10 years this will be the equivalent of working full time for 5 years, so you will have 5 years’ worth of benefit. If you work for a further 10 years at full time, then retire, your benefits will be worked out based on 15 years’ equivalent service.

• Working in term time only

If you work full time, but only during term time you will be recorded as working part time. This is because although you work full time hours when the school or college is open; spread over a year you actually work less than 37 hours a week 52 weeks of the year. (The recognised hours for full time employment). In order that pension benefits for part time people is calculated fairly when compared  to full time employees; your pensionable service is adjusted slightly to take your term time only status into account.