For Staff

USS Pension

Page updated 20 February 2023.

Latest update

Universities UK issued an update on the latest USS quarterly monitoring statistics that show significant improvements in the scheme’s financial position.

Previous valuation process

The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) has been through a valuation process – a statutory assessment of a pension scheme’s financial health, carried out at least once every three years. Stemming from this process, some changes to the scheme were implemented from April 2022.

All benefits earned from contributions to April 2022 are safe and are not affected.

Resources to help you understand the changes

Our principles 

To work for everyone involved, we believe the scheme should be: 

  • Fair: so it works for and is accessible to all potential members, regardless of age, background or career stage. 
  • Valued: so everyone sees and receives the benefit of it.  
  • Sustainable: so it continues to be affordable and secure for individuals and employers. 
  • Stable: so there’s confidence in it. 
  • Portable: so it helps colleagues move freely around the sector to develop their careers. 

Find out more

We share public information and links to other sources of information on this page and key information is also highlighted via the all staff eNews.

Scheme information, and member communications and documents are produced and provided by USS itself.

USS (runs the pension scheme)

  • USS.co.uk
  • USS 2020 valuation (this page hosts some video explanations, including ‘Valuations: how we protect the promises made to members’)

UCU (represents all scheme members)

UUK (represents scheme employers)

Your pension

If you have any specific questions relating to your pension scheme please contact the Pensions and Benefits team

Please rest assured that any pension benefits you already have in the scheme, to the date of any further scheme change, are safe and secure. Discussions about the future of the scheme relate to pensions yet to be built up. 
 

USS Latest News

Industrial action update from the Chief Operating Officer

An email from Rachel Brealey, Chief Operating Officer, sent to all staff on Tuesday 31 January.

USS Pension information session - Watch on-demand

Don’t worry if you missed our live event, you can watch the recording on demand at a time that suits you.

Book | USS pension information session

If you are a member of the USS pension scheme, join these information sessions hosted by pensions experts, Mercer.

Book your place | Leeds Conversations: Let’s talk

Join Vice Chancellor, Professor Simone Buitendijk, to have an open conversation about the USS pension scheme.

Let's talk | A message from the Vice-Chancellor

Email from Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simone Buitendijk, to all staff on Friday 4 March 2022.

The University’s position on UCU’s proposal to conclude the USS 2020 valuation 

A statement made on 23 February 2022

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