Tag Archives: UCU

USS, its surplus, its increases and its DC scheme

Posted on July 16, 2026 by henry tapper

It was only 8 years ago that the employer view was that USS could not stay open as it was too great a debt upon employers paying into it. There was a strike, an effort was made and despite not … Continue reading →

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Why We Should Not Gamble Away Our Retirement

Posted on April 27, 2026 by henry tapper

Dr Deepa Govindarajan Driver (@deepa_driver on Twitter) has written this article in a purely personal capacity.   Deepa is a former chair of UCU’s USS negotiation team (SWG). Her professional expertise is in governance, financial regulation and accountability. She is … Continue reading →

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USS valuation methodology changes agreed – with more to do

Posted on January 30, 2026 by henry tapper

Jo Grady, General Secretary of the  The University and College Union (UCU) has this to say of recent developments at USS Since 2023, UCU has been engaged with Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) and the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) … Continue reading →

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Do Pension Schemes need to do more on Complicity?

Posted on November 22, 2025 by henry tapper

An article by Dooley Harte ,Pension Official , University & College Union The genocide in Gaza, the war in Ukraine and many other conflicts around the world can leave us feeling helpless as we watch humanity tear itself apart with … Continue reading →

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Can USS DB pension benefits decrease by paying more?

Posted on August 23, 2025 by henry tapper

Surely not, but… astonishingly: yes. This is because when USS scheme members cease service on any day other than 31 March, USS applies an unusual and little-known mechanism of revaluation. Instead of granting revaluation in line with the “USS standard … Continue reading →

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A statement from the University and College Union;- “conditional indexation at USS”

Posted on July 1, 2025 by henry tapper

By email    Henry Tapper        30 June 2026 Conditional Indexation at USS – A response to your Blog 26 June 2025 I write as one of the University & College Union members of the USS Stability Working … Continue reading →

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USS pension dispute is over.

Posted on October 21, 2023 by henry tapper

I am very pleased to hear that the 5 year long pensions dispute between the UCU Union and UUK over the funding and benefits arising from the USS pension scheme is over. It’s over because all sides have agreed that … Continue reading →

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Benefits restored as USS moves towards partial CDC.

Posted on October 6, 2023 by henry tapper

BREAKING: 2022 cuts to pensions for thousands of university sector workers are to be reversed under an agreement between unions and the university sector.https://t.co/GXnAmgOF0T — Josephine Cumbo (@JosephineCumbo) October 5, 2023 This is great news for members of the USS … Continue reading →

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Little cause for celebration from USS valuation

Posted on July 20, 2023 by henry tapper

USS – no time for complacency The headlines are good. USS is wearing a surplus of over £7bn rather than a deficit of £14bn, it is proposing a contribution schedule that makes pensions affordable to employers and (if the 65/35 … Continue reading →

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Benefits will be restored at USS but will common sense?

Posted on April 18, 2023 by henry tapper

UCU members in their tens of thousands have voted overwhelmingly to move forward with pension proposals agreed with employers which will pave the way for the restoration of benefits. When we launched our pensions dispute, university vice chancellors doubted us, … Continue reading →

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