Many members of the USS pension will be aware of the debate surrounding its long-term affordability, and the Joint Negotiating Committee deliberations between UCU and UUK to determine how to provide good pensions that are sustainable and affordable for the long term.


USS members across the sector will be consulted for 60 days from 19 March 2018 on a proposal to move future pension benefits to a defined contribution scheme from 1 April 2019. Details of the proposal and rationale are published on the HR webpages and the Universities UK website.

The University is committed to support staff with information and access to the consultation. Briefing sessions have been arranged in February, as education sessions, with independent professional actuaries, Mercer. 

The sessions are an opportunity to ask questions; understand the key features of the scheme; the differences between defined contribution and defined benefit; how the valuation process works and who is involved in making decisions; what happens if changes are made; and how to contribute to the consultation.

This is a Process education session with an opportunity for questions about the changes, the session will be facilitated by Kevin Painter from Mercer. 


This education session is aimed at those staff levels 4-7 who are USS pension members.