Frequently Asked Questions
- I'm a casual/bank worker - how will pensions automatic enrolment affect me?
- Once I've been automatically enrolled, will I remain in the scheme even if my earnings or age in subsequent months mean I no longer trigger the automatic enrolment criteria?
- I've submitted claims for payment this month which cover work undertaken over the last three months - how will this impact my eligibilty for automatic enrolment?
- I've undertaken £500 worth of work on grade 1 to 5 and £500 worth of work on grades 6 and above in this month - how will this affect my eligibilty for automatic enrolment?
- I don't want to be in a pension scheme at the University at all - how do I opt out?
- I don't qualify for automatic enrolment, can I still join the pension scheme?
- How much will pension scheme membership cost me?
- I've been automatically enrolled and had pension scheme contributions deducted from my pay. I want to opt out of the pension scheme - can I get my money back?
1. I'm a casual/bank worker - how will pensions automatic enrolment affect me?
All casual workers who meet the age and earnings criteria will be automatically enrolled into the relevant pension scheme. Due to the variable nature of earnings of casual workers the University will postpone assessment of automatic enrolment eligibility for a maximum of three months from the date at which they first trigger the eligibility criteria.
For example, if a casual worker is aged 30 and is paid £1,000 (before tax) in May 2013, the University will postpone assessment of automatic enrolment eligibility until August 2013. Their earnings and age in August 2013 will then be assessed against the automatic enrolment eligibility and if both elements trigger eligibility they will be automatically enrolled in August.
If at the point of automatic enrolment eligibility assessment you do not reach the necessary trigger points (earnings of at least £787 per month before tax and aged between 22 and State Pension Age), you will not be automatically enrolled into a pension scheme. Your eligibility for pensions automatic enrolment will then be assessed in every month thereafter.
2. Once I've been automatically enrolled, will I remain in the scheme even if my earnings or age in subsequent months mean I no longer trigger the automatic enrolment criteria?
If you have been automatically enrolled into a pension scheme you will remain a member until such time as you choose to opt out of the scheme, irrespective of whether your earnings or age fall outside of the automatic enrolment eligibility criteria.
3. I've submitted claims for payment this month which cover work undertaken over the last three months - how will this impact my eligibilty for automatic enrolment?
The assessment for automatic enrolment makes reference to age in the month of the assessment and the amount you are paid in that month.
So, for example if in July 2013 you submit a claim for £300 relating to work undertaken in May 2013, another claim for £300 relating to work undertaken in June 2013 and a third claim for £300 relating to work undertaken in July 2013, even though in each month you undertook work which was under the £787 threshold, we must assess what you are actually paid in any month. Therefore, because your pay in July would be £900 (£300 + £300 + £300), you would reach the trigger point on earnings and so be automatically enrolled in July (subject to you also meeting the age criteria).
4. I've undertaken £500 worth of work on grade 1 to 5 and £500 worth of work on grades 6 and above in this month - how will this affect my eligibilty for automatic enrolment?
Assuming you claim for both elements of work in the same month, although cumulatively your pay in that month will be £1,000 (before tax) and so above the automatic enrolment threshold, the work you undertake at grades 1 to 5 will be treated as a separate employment to that which you undertake at grades 6 and above, and each will be assessed separately.
This is because the University operates different pension schemes for those working at grades 1 to 5 (USPS) and those working at grades 6 and above (USS).
5. I don't want to be in a pension scheme at the University at all - how do I opt out?
You can only choose to opt out of a pension scheme once you have been automatically enrolled into it, or you have chosen to join it. To do this you will need to contact either Capita (who administer USPS on behalf of the University) or USS directly and request an opt out form. This can be done either via their website or by phone.
For USPS, please click here to obtain the opt-out form. Alternatively, you can telephone 0114 273 7331 and ask for the University of Sheffield Pension Scheme administration team and they will send you a copy.
For USS, please click here to obtain the opt-out form. Alternatively, you can telephone 0151 478 7140 and USS will send you a copy.
The completed opt out form should be returned to the Pensions Team at the Arts Tower.
6. I don't qualify for automatic enrolment, can I still join a pension scheme?
Yes, please contact our Pensions Team on 0114 222 1397 or via email at pensions@sheffield.ac.uk for information on what to do.
7. How much will pension scheme membership cost me?
If you are a member of USS, you will normally be enrolled into the Career Revalued Benefits section which has a member contribution of 6.5% of pensionable pay.
USPS has a range of member contribution rates - 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% or 10% of pensionable pay. If you are automatically enrolled into USPS you will be enrolled at the 4% contribution level. As a member of USPS you can choose what level of contributions you want to make to the scheme - each level attracts a different benefit from the University.
Further details on the pension schemes in operation at the University is available at http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/finance/staff-information/mymoney/mypension
8. I've been automatically enrolled and had pension scheme contributions deducted from my pay. I want to opt out of the pension scheme - can I get my money back?
Yes, provided you opt out within one month of being automatically enrolled your contributions will be refunded to you.