Pensions Scandal: Teacher sought advice but learnt the hard way

Lorraine Killick thought she had done her homework before choosing to set up a personal pension.

Unlike other colleagues at her primary school in Seaford, East Sussex, who joined their teachers' occupational pension scheme without querying the benefits, Ms Killick took advice on the subject.

When Barclays Bank, where she holds an account, offered her a 'free' financial consultation in September 1991 she leapt at the chance.

She recalls: 'I handed my adviser a lot of information to look through on the teachers' superannuation scheme.

'He said it was OK as far as it went but that I would be better starting a personal pension because the benefits could be greater at retirement. Based on his advice, I decided to set up a personal pension.'

In fact, staying in the teachers' scheme is a far more sensible choice. It guarantees two- thirds salary after 40 years' service, which is index-linked at retirement.

Ms Killick is a member of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, which has a policy of taking up its members' personal pension queries. It has negotiated with Barclays Life to reinstate her into her occupational scheme at a cost, after two years' missed contributions, of almost pounds 6,500.

(Photograph omitted)