University Pensions

Abstract

THE Sixteenth Annual Report of the Carnegie o Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching provides some interesting reading, especially regarding pension systems. The claim is made that in the Reports of the Foundation will be found “the most complete information concerning pensions and pension systems in existence.” The remarks on the University Teachers' pensions in England and Wales deserve notice. Reference is made to the movement of the Association of University Teachers to secure the extension of the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act of 1918 to University teachers, or failing this to obtain benefits at least equivalent to those offered by the Act. As in previous years, the Report shows a strong bias against any non-contributory scheme. It is very easy to understand why this should be so. The Teachers' Insurance and Annuity Association of America could not have come into existence on any other than a contributory basis. On its own showing the Foundation was unable to finance a scheme such as is growing up in America. But no attempt is made to demonstrate how such a contributory scheme can be “sounder” than a non-contributory scheme backed by the government of the country. It would be difficult to do so in face of the existence of the British Civil Service, and the report wisely refrains from the attempt.