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Joining a pension scheme

Find out which of our pension schemes you are eligible to join as a member of staff at the University.

Pension information for prospective employees

There are four pension schemes operated by the University of Bath, one of which has been closed to new joiners from 1st June. The Terms and Conditions of your Contract of Employment will determine which scheme you are eligible to join and contain brief details of your pension scheme.

For staff on grades 2 to 5 or grades 6 to 9 and above, your contract will inform you that pension deductions will begin automatically when you start work.

If you want to opt-out of the pension scheme you will need complete the 'opt-out' form used by the scheme and return this to the Pension Office. The forms are available from the Pension scheme websites. Once you have completed the form, pension deductions will stop being made from your salary.

The occupational pension scheme

Staff on grades 2 to 5 who joined the University on or after 1st June 2021 are eligible to join the University of Bath Group Pension Plan (UoBGPP) administered by Aviva.

Staff on grades 2 to 5 who joined the University before 1st June 2021 are eligible to join the Avon Pension Fund Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

Staff on grades 6 and above are eligible to join the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS).

Casual Workers and External Examiners are eligible to join The People's Pension.

If you have previously opted out of a scheme and wish to re-join then you will need to inform the Pensions Office in writing.

Useful links

For further information on any other aspect of your retirement plans, we have provided the following links.

  • Tracing Previous Pensions - your previous employers or pension providers may have moved‚ changed names‚ closed down or merged with other companies. If you have lost track of a company that may owe you a pension‚ it may still be possible to find and claim this money.
  • State Pension Forecast - gives you more detailed information on the State Pension you may get when you reach state pension age. It is based on your NI contributions record.
  • State Pension Age Calculator - find out your state pension age by entering your gender and date of birth.
  • The Pension Service - provides customers with pensions, benefits and retirement information, for example, state pension and pension credit.
  • Pensions Regulator - the Pensions Regulator are the regulator of work based pensions in the UK and they are working to support confidence in them.
  • Pension Advisory Service - the Pensions Advisory Service is a non profit organisation that can help people with problems, complaints or disputes about their pension.
  • Pensions and Retirement Planning - information and practical advice from the UK government on pensions and planning for retirement.
  • Age UK - Age UK has a vision of a world in which older people flourish. Their aim is to improve later life for everyone through information and advice, campaigns, products, training and research.
  • Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) - the FCA is the conduct regulator for nearly 60,000 financial services firms (including pension providers) and financial markets in the UK.

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