Category Archives: USS

The public debate on USS is elevated by King and Kay.

Posted on September 7, 2018 by

Exclamation: Master @JohnRalfe1! Mervyn King has now joined UCU and is spouting what you call “#USS #smokescreen and pure #UCU #bollocks“! Calling Bazooka @mikeotsuka and Plowman @henryhtapper https://t.co/OFuewk3ER7 — John Ralfebot (@Ralfebot) September 6, 2018 One of the joys of … Continue reading →

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“The way we were” – Mike Otsuka calls for USS to return to Topper form.

Posted on August 27, 2018 by

Here I distill my threads of the past few days into a single message: the @FirstActuarial & @ucu approach to the investment and valuation of #USS is not some radical new theory. Rather, it’s in line with the way #USS … Continue reading →

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#beetroots, #biscuits – how the battle for truth @USS is being won.

Posted on August 3, 2018 by

I find myself embedded in a bizarre discussion on #transparency between some of the brightest bods on twitter. This ill becomes me, I am out of my depth, a TUC cracker in the posh biscuit barrel. #beetroot #biscuits pic.twitter.com/Hywkpf8U2W — … Continue reading →

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Bill Galvin – on accountability at #USS

Posted on July 30, 2018 by

If Jo Cumbo hadn’t mentioned it I’d have missed it. Bill Galvin- erstwhile CEO of the Pensions Regulator and now boss of the University Superannuation Scheme wrote a thought piece on the USS blog – it’s here. It’s a meditation … Continue reading →

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Otsuka finds balm for USS’ “forty year itch”

Posted on June 7, 2018 by

    With remarkable restraint , Mike Otsuka reports on conversations he’s had with the USS on unknown unknowns. We do not know what the future brings, but past performance suggests that universities do not fail as people need higher … Continue reading →

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University pensions! – Stay collective! Stay open!

Posted on May 18, 2018 by

Another good day for pensions! Yesterday was a good day for the collective pension scheme in Britain. I had breakfast at Cicero’s offices in the Old Bailey (not the courts). I was able to hear our Pensions Regulator talk openly about … Continue reading →

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Why the USS got itself into trouble ( Mike Otsuka).

Posted on May 6, 2018 by

Mike Otsuka’s extraordinary diligence in understanding the pension scheme he is a member of, is an example to us all. In this article he delves into the archives and uncovers some disturbing statements. They shed light on the current “unaffordability” of … Continue reading →

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“If not ACAS – who?” No end in sight to the USS dispute.

Posted on March 24, 2018 by

The dispute between the University employers (UUK) and their teaching staff (UCU), shows no sign of resolution. Indeed, with students breaking for their Easter holidays, impulsion for a settlement has now reduced. There would have been little teaching done over … Continue reading →

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Bill Galvin , stop whingeing to the FT and come down here!

Posted on March 18, 2018 by

Bill Galvin would be well-advised not to snipe at social media for peddling misconceptions about the University Superannuation Scheme. Dennis Leech, Professor of Economics at Warwick concludes a recent article with the question will this independent group be subject to … Continue reading →

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When enough isn’t enough – thoughts on #NoCapitulation

Posted on March 14, 2018 by

Is the USS really in crisis? I was disappointed to read that the University strike isn’t over. But it isn’t and Jo Cumbo hits the nail  on the head. “Majority of members wish to reject the proposal as insufficient.” What … Continue reading →

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