retirement for teachers to 55 from 60.

Sen. Milton Scott, general secretary of the BUT, has written to every MP asking for support on the issue. "It is our position that teachers should have the option of retiring at age 55 with a reduced pension or have the option of paying a higher contribution in order to get a pension comparable to that which they would now get at age 60,'' Sen. Scott said.

"It is our opinion that either of the above would not be an additional cost to the pension fund.'' The change would bring teachers more in line with Police, the Bermuda Regiment, firefighters, and Prison Officers, he said.

He wanted the change to the Bermuda Public Service Superannuation Act, which the BUT had wanted for ten years, debated in the House.

Sen. Scott said he did not know how many of the Island's roughly 700 teachers would want to take advantage of such an option.

In 1989, a similar recommendation from the BUT had the support of the Permanent Secretary for Education, but it was turned down by the Finance Minister, he said.