All Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) articles – Page 8
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FeaturesUSS targets steady returns with KCom investment
The actions of bellwether schemes like the £64bn Universities Superannuation Scheme are always closely watched, but scrutiny on USS is particularly acute after widespread strike action last year. Last month, the UK’s largest private plan agreed a £504m cash takeover of telecoms business KCom.
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NewsEmployers and academics rail against new USS contribution rate
Employers and workers alike have expressed concern over proposed contribution hikes to Britain’s biggest private sector pension scheme, the £63bn Universities Superannuation Scheme.
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Employers reject call for contingency contributions from USS
On the go: At least two employers, including the University of Oxford and the University of Sheffield, have rejected the call for contingent contributions in a consultation from Britain’s largest private sector pension scheme, the Universities Superannuation Scheme.
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OpinionUSS dispute has exposed a transparency deficit
Brexit may be inflaming passions across the country, but away from the headlines an equally heated debate has been raging among scheme advisers, managers and members over the serious matter of how to value pensions.
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More unions eye CDC as possible negotiation outcome
What is good enough for postal workers is, it would appear, not good enough for academics.
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New group set to bring in more transparency around charges
On the go: An industry group has been set up to work on implementing, promoting and encouraging the use of new cost transparency templates across the pensions and investment industries, with the aim of encouraging more consistent disclosure of costs.
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NewsThree big ideas for better member engagement
For all the successes of behavioural finance and auto-enrolment, the weight of retirement decisions on savers means member engagement is still important. Three experts pitch their ideas to improve scheme communications.
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Features
How should scheme liabilities be measured?
Analysis: The industry is unlikely to ever reach a consensus over the methods of scheme liability valuation, judging by the lively debate surrounding the subject.
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News
More sponsors in talks with government over CDC
A handful of corporate entities have held exploratory discussions with the Department for Work and Pensions on collective defined contribution schemes, according to DWP defined benefit strategy team leader Julian Barker.
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UK’s three biggest public schemes failing on climate change
The Universities Superannuation Scheme, the Railways Pension Scheme and the Electricity Supply Pension Scheme have been slammed for the quality of their response to climate change.
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UCU suspends strike action to scrutinise USS valuation
The University and College Union has called to suspend all strike action after its members accepted an offer to examine the latest valuation.
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OpinionPutting the USS closure debate into perspective
Amid all the debate over actuarial methodologies and affordability, Society of Pensions Professionals president Hugh Nolan says a quick look at contribution rates gives a valuable insight as to whether the public sector is getting a good deal.
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OpinionCDC: Two birds in the bush
Editorial: The fight for defined benefit accrual is coming to a head at universities after employers showed their hand early in the dispute over pensions.
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News
UUK and UCU strike pensions deal
Universities UK, which represents employers, and the University and College Union have said they reached an agreement on Monday in the dispute about the closure of academics' defined benefit arrangement.
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Universities minister: Compensate students for UCU pensions strike
Universities minister Sam Gyimah has said universities should compensate students for teaching time lost because of academics' ongoing strike over pensions.
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NewsUniversity of Oxford learns hard lesson with Care closure
The University of Oxford has introduced a defined contribution scheme for new joiners and is making a number of other changes to reduce costs as universities are waking up to their pension deficits. One expert called the education sector ‘a disaster’ in pension terms.
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UUK will 'consider reintroducing DB' after DC switch
Universities UK has put forward a proposal to change the pension benefits for academics to defined contribution from April 1 2019, but has committed "to consider in three years’ time if defined benefits can be reintroduced should the scheme’s funding conditions improve".
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Academics back strike action over USS DB closure proposal
Staff strikes are set to cause significant disruption across 61 of the UK's universities in February, after union members voted to take industrial action over changes to their pension provision.
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NewsSouthampton uni's DB closure proposal poorly timed, experts say
The University of Southampton is consulting on the closure of its defined benefit scheme for non-academic staff, a move experts have said is not well timed given current scrutiny of senior pay packages at universities.
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NewsFunding levels up as FTSE 100 companies cut back DB
The UK’s blue chip companies have cut back their defined benefit servicing costs by around 15 per cent over 2017, analysis by JLT Employee Benefits has found, while funding levels continue their painstaking recovery.