The Len Lesser Report

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NEW RE-EMPLOYMENT RULES ARE IN EFFECT FOR TEACHERS

Read all about it, there are new employment rules for retired teachers. It used to be that teachers could retire with a full pension only to boomerang back into the classroom for up to 95 days per year. Earning $90,000 for the past five years they were able to earn two percent per year, 31 years of salary comes to 62% that amounts to $54,000 per year that is indexed against inflation.

Under the new rules for occasional teachers the limit as of September 20120 is 50 days per school year to supply teach. The per diem pay is $226.00 with a maximum of $11,300.per school year If you reach the 50-day limit and continue working in education beyond the end of the month in which you exceed the limit the Teacher’s Pension Plan will suspend your pension until you stop working, If you fail to notify the TPP that you are working you will have to pay back any pension payments you have received with interest.

Retired teachers who wish to keep working can become self-employed, tutoring or seek alternative employment in industry or business. There are no limits on salary or time spent working outside boards of education.

Wow, the Teacher’s Pension Plan has finally come to the reality that their members who double dip are not acting in good faith. Hundreds of young teacher’s college graduates in Ontario have had a hard time securing teaching positions with the public school boards of education because of declining enrolments and budget cuts.

The graduates without a contract hope was to get some needed experience and a be able to be put their name on the occasional teacher supply lists; to be able to receive some money to help pay off their student loans. Until now their was little or no chance of supply teaching opportunities for many of them.

The new legislation is a good start to solving the problems related to teacher employment. I like the section of cutting off the pensions of those who abuse the system and making them pay back the money with interest in order to have their pension restored.

I retired from the Thames Valley Board of Education 17 years ago to go into private counselling practice and have not earned a penny from the Board. We retired teachers have to get out of the way to make room for young exuberant teachers to have the opportunity to teach.

I look forward to seeing new rules that will penalize teachers who are eligible to retire and do not submit their intentions of ending their employment with the Boards. I personally know teachers who could have retired with a full pension many, many years ago. 2% less in pension benefits for every year spent after they are eligible to retire may help some reluctant teachers to sign on the dotted line. Their places could be filled with teacher’s college graduates who will earn half of the old timers salaries and offer a fresh new look to their students.

The wheels of education sure turn slowly but the new regulations are a good start.

Len Lesser