Pensions Auto-enrolment

With effect from 1 April 2013*, legislation will require the University to automatically enrol those people who are not currently a member of a pension scheme into one. The legislation is part of a Government initiative to encourage more people to save for their retirement through increased pension scheme membership across the whole country.

The new legislation covers both employees of the University as well as casual/bank/atypical workers who undertake work here.

As part of its total reward package the University currently offers excellent pension schemes which staff are eligible to join. Those undertaking roles at grades 1 to 5 can join the University of Sheffield Pension Scheme (USPS) whilst those working in roles at grades 6 and above can join the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS). Some staff in clinical roles may be eligible to continue membership of the NHS Pension Scheme. Anyone who is a member of one of these pension schemes also receives contributions from the University towards their retirement income on top of the money they put in themselves.

These schemes will be the ones into which people will be automatically enrolled (depending on the grade of work they are carrying out at the University), irrespective of whether they are employees or casual/bank/atypical workers.

Details of each of these schemes are available by clicking on the link to the right of this page.

The University will be writing to all those who undertake work here to explain what the new law means for them and outlining the action they need to take. In order to ensure you don’t miss any of the communications on this important topic, please ensure that your email, home address and telephone number are up to date in myJob by logging into MUSE. Until then you do not need to take any action in respect of pensions auto-enrolment.

Pay Plus for Pensions

Please note that in the fourth month of membership into one of the pension schemes, your payments will become Pay Plus for Pensions payments unless you opt out. Pay Plus for Pensions is the University's salary sacrifice arrangement for member pension contributions. For more information on Pay Plus for pensions click here.

In the meantime, if you have any queries regarding your eligibility to join any of our current pension schemes, or would like further information on how to join them, please contact the Pensions Team on 0114 222 1397 or via e-mail at pensions@sheffield.ac.uk

*Please note, if you work for another employer as well as the University, they may have a different date by which they need to enrol people into a pension scheme. You are advised to check with the other employer.