All University and College Union (UCU) articles
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NewsUSS launches consultation on proposed funding assumptions
The Universities Superannuation Scheme has launched a consultation with Universities UK (UUK) on the trustee’s proposed funding assumptions and methodology for the scheme’s 2023 actuarial valuation and on the statement of funding principles.
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NewsUniversities staff to strike again over pay and pensions
On the go: More than 70,000 staff at 150 universities will strike on February 1, in a dispute that includes disagreement over the 2020 valuation of the Universities Superannuation Scheme
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NewsUSS surplus hints at ‘positive choices’ over contribution rates
On the go:The Universities Superannuation Scheme has swung into a £5.6bn surplus, according to its latest monitoring report, offering the possibility of “positive choices” regarding future contribution rates, while sparking fury among those taking strike action against scheme reforms.
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NewsUUK: ‘Ignoring USS problem is not the answer’
The president of Universities UK has stood by planned reforms to the Universities Superannuation Scheme, in the lead up to unprecedented strike action that will take place across 150 universities.
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NewsUniversities set for ‘biggest ever’ strikes over pensions
More than 70,000 staff at 150 universities will go on strike for three days in November, in the latest escalation of a dispute that includes disagreement over the valuation of the Universities Superannuation Scheme.
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NewsAcademics back strike action over USS ‘pension cuts’
The Universities and College Union has secured a mandate to strike in 150 universities over member benefit cuts in the Universities Superannuation Scheme.
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NewsUniversity employers stick to USS cuts despite strike threat
Universities Superannuation Scheme employers have rebuffed renewed calls by the University and College Union to restore benefit cuts in response to the scheme’s controversial 2020 valuation, arguing there is “no solid evidence” to make benefit changes before the 2023 valuation.
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NewsTPR’s criminal powers ‘pose risks’ to universities
The Pensions Regulator’s new criminal powers could potentially pose risks to university sponsors of defined benefit schemes, especially in light of reforms at the Universities Superannuation Scheme, legal experts have said.
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NewsUCU threatens ‘unprecedented strikes’ as USS reaches surplus
The University and College Union has strongly criticised the decision to cut staff benefits, as the Universities Superannuation Scheme’s June monitoring report reveals a surplus of £1.8bn and universities prepare to embark on billions of pounds in capital expenditure.
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NewsUSS annual report shows significant improvement but angers unions
The significant improvement in the Universities Superannuation Scheme’s funding position and resilience has angered the University and College Union, which argued that benefit cuts implemented in April were “totally unnecessary” in light of the scheme’s strength.
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NewsUSS review sees ‘much improved’ deficit cut by £12bn
Despite an accelerated year-end review conducted by the Universities Superannuation Scheme revealing a “much improved deficit”, with a reduction of £12bn, the trustee board is reluctant to agree to interim changes to benefits of contribution rates before the scheme’s 2023 valuation.
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NewsAcademics reject USS Employers’ 12% pensions cut forecast
On the go: A group of academics have attempted to refute Universities UK’s claim that staff in the £90bn Universities Superannuation Scheme earning less than £40,000 annually would receive a “headline” cut of 12 per cent to their future pension, pointing out to higher losses.
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NewsSoas demands new USS valuation and inequality assessments
On the go: Soas University of London and its union branch have jointly called for “an evidence-based, moderately prudent valuation as soon as possible” of the £88.8bn Universities Superannuation Scheme.
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NewsUSS plans funding review as deficit drops to £1.6bn
The £88.8bn Universities Superannuation Scheme has teased the possibility of increasing benefits and cutting contributions, after its latest review revealed a markedly improved funding position.
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NewsLoughborough Uni and UCU warn USS against reducing contributions
On the go: Positive changes resulting from the next valuation of the Universities Superannuation Scheme should be used to improve member benefits, Loughborough University and the University and College Union have argued.
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NewsUCU agrees marking boycott in latest USS escalation
On the go: Staff at 26 universities will take part in a marking boycott and strike action following the latest escalation of the ongoing Universities Superannuation Scheme pensions dispute.
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NewsNew strike mandate at universities over USS pensions row
On the go: Staff at 27 universities have a mandate to take strike action over pensions that will last until October 2022, after the University and College Union secured the support of its members.
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NewsUSS trustee concerned by ‘misleading’ use of financial reports
On the go: The Universities Superannuation Scheme trustee has issued an update on scheme finances, and expressed its concern that previous use of monitoring statements by parties involved in the ongoing 2020 valuation dispute could be “misleading” members about the true state of the scheme.
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NewsAnother wave of strikes begins as USS valuation row escalates
On the go: Staff at 40 universities have begun the next round of industrial action over the controversial conclusion of the Universities Superannuation Scheme’s 2020 consultation.
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NewsUSS discourages use of alternative benefits modellers
On the go: The Universities Superannuation Scheme has discouraged members from using alternative benefits modellers to work out how they will fare following the conclusion of the scheme’s 2020 valuation, warning that they operate on very different assumptions to those agreed by employers and the trustee.