Marvin OnumonuThe number of teachers in the UK taking phased retirement has dropped by more than half in 10 years, according to figures from Wesleyan Financial Services.
An Freedom of Information (FOI) submitted to the Department for Education (DfE) showed phased retirement fell 51% from 955 in 2014/15 to 468 in 2024/25.
Wesleyan’s survey found over half (52%) would consider phased retirement, but 43% were put off by worries about affordability.
A lack of flexible roles in schools was also a concern for 35%.
41% felt it helps to ease into retirement while keeping routine and purpose, and 38% said it could help manage burnout risk.
Steven Renfrew, head of education at Wesleyan, said: “The start of a new school year is often when we get a spike in teachers thinking about their retirement options.
“Phased retirement can be win-win for schools and educators.
“It helps teachers start their retirement journey without having to leave the classroom altogether, while retaining their experience and skill – something that’s critical at a time when we’re already facing a national teacher shortage.”
Renfrew added: “But there are clearly barriers preventing wider use. Going forward schools might need to consider how they can create the flexibility phased retirement positions require – something that’s far easier said than done when there are already major workforce pressures.
“At the same time, teachers need to have support to fully understand what phased retirement might mean financially for them.
“Although it requires a reduction in pay, this might be more affordable than some initially think when other savings or investments are taken into account – and actually in their best interests if it supports their wider health and wellbeing.”
He said: “We’d encourage anyone interested in phased retirement to seek advice on if it could indeed work for them.”
