Key benefits and contribution rates

• Employer contribution equal to 14.5% of your salary, while you pay 6.1%
• 3 times basic salary payable in the event of member's death in service
• Incapacity benefits cover if you become unable to work

Joining the pension

Eligible staff are automatically enrolled.

You receive a welcome pack (also known as a membership certificate) in the post shortly after you join the scheme.

Visit the USS website for all information including joining, amendment and leaving the scheme.

Managing your USS pension

Log in to your USS account to get access to your personal pension status and:

• view your current valuation
• manage your contributions
• manage your investments

• update any changes in your personal details (e.g. home address). All correspondence will be made via this address, so it is very important that you keep this updated.
• amend your target retirement date
• use tools and calculators to make pension estimations
• nominate your beneficiary in the event of your death

Contact USS if you would prefer to phone or write or need support in accessing the online pension portal.

Absences and your pension

Unpaid leave

Contact Pensions if you wish to maintain your pension contribution during your unpaid leave. 

Maternity

Pension contributions

Your pension will be deducted based on your full pay for 39 weeks.

Contact Pensions if you wish to maintain your pension contributions during the period of unpaid maternity leave.

Salary sacrifice

For salary sacrifice, the amount exchanged will be based on your full pay. 

Get a retirement quote

Contact USS to request a retirement quote

Leaving the University

Your contributions will stop, but your pension pot will remain invested.

You can still access your pension details via the USS online pension portal. This will include details of how to transfer and manage your funds.

If you are an overseas national and intend to leave the UK at the end of your University employment, the pension arrangements are exactly the same and at the end of your university employment, the pension can be transferred out to any UK recognised overseas pension scheme.

Please check and ensure that USS have your current contact address and details.

Taking retirement

Contact Pensions when your retirement has been confirmed in writing by HR.

USS requires at least 3 months notice to help ensure that your pension payments start on time.

The University will stop further contributions once your retirement has been processed by HR.

Further information is available about accessing your pension benefits and the options for flexible retirement.

USS support for members

USS have released a series of bite sized videos and animations for members on a range of popular topics, including:

• your investment choices
• an overview of USS
• your retirement options
• an introduction to pensions
• what happens when you leave USS?
• what happens when you join USS?
• an overview of pension tax