Pensions FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I join a pension scheme?
All new staff members will be automatically enrolled into a pension scheme when joining the University, should they meet eligibility criteria. For staff members who have previously opted out or are otherwise not in a pension scheme, please contact pension@qmul.ac.uk
Can I choose which pension scheme I join?
No. This is dependent on your terms and conditions of employment.
How do I contact my pension scheme?
The addresses of the pension schemes are listed below. Please ensure you have your National Insurance number available for reference
How much does your employer spend on Pensions?
Please click below to see how much is spent on UK HE pensions:
Employer Spend on Pensions [PDF 530KB]
to view how much is spent on UK HE pensions
At what age can I retire?
This varies depending upon the pension scheme and the date you join. Please contact an HR Pensions Officer and we will be able to give you assistance.
What do I do if I want to retire after I have passed my scheme retirement age?
You should offer the notice stated in your contract in writing to your line manager/head of department, sending copies of the letter to your Pensions Officer. It is also really helpful if you inform the Pensions Officer of your intention at least three months before the date of retirement so we can make sure there are no delays.
What happens to my benefits if I leave employment (not retiring)?
We have three options available to you, however option one only applies in the first two years of pension membership and provided you have not transferred into your scheme any other service.
- Refund of contributions less adjustment for tax and National Insurance if leaving or withdrawing from the pension scheme within the first two years. This option is not available if you are in the Pension Plus Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
- Deferred benefits payable when you reach retirement age.
- Transfer into another pension scheme provided the receiving scheme accepts the transfer in. You may wish to seek independent financial advice before taking this action.
In all cases we will inform your College Pension scheme that you have left and they should contact you to provide a statement of benefits.
What do I need to do when I’m leaving employment (not retiring)?
We will be informed of your departure by the relevant HR Administrator, so as long as they are in possession of a correct forwarding address for you then there is no need for further action. However, if you are a member of SAUL or USS and you are planning to take up another position where you are remaining in the same scheme, we need to know this before you leave so please contact us to inform us. Current staff: Please contact an HR Pensions Officer.
Do all Queen Mary employees get life cover?
Life cover is available if you are an active member of any one of the pension schemes offered by Queen Mary. This usually means you are currently contributing to the scheme through your employment. The level of cover and eligibility can vary depending on which scheme you are in, so it is best to check your scheme details or contact the pensions team for confirmation.
How do I nominate a beneficiary for my pension in the event of my death?
You can nominate someone to receive any applicable death benefits by completing a nomination or expression of wish form online, via your pension member dashboard. This allows you to state who you would like benefits to go to, although trustees may make the final decision based on scheme rules and your circumstances. It is a good idea to keep your nomination up to date.
USS : Please log in to MyUSS (the online portal - https://www.uss.co.uk/login) where you can complete an online form to make the nomination directly to the scheme.
SAUL : Please download the SAUL Letter of Intent form, complete it and submit it to SAUL. You can also make your nominations by logging in your online pension account.
NHS : Please download the Lump sum on death benefit (DB1) (pdf) and/or Partner Nomination (PN1) (pdf) ,complete them and submit them to NHS Pension.
My home address has changed, can I update my pension account directly?
No, address changes are not usually made directly through the pension scheme. When changing address, you should update your details on MyHR. The home address change will be reflected on your pension account at the end of the month. Alternatively, please contact the Pension team at pension@qmul.ac.uk.
I was in USS at a previous employer. Queen Mary is offering to put me in USS – can I instead re-join USS ?
Unfortunately, not. You are only eligible to join the scheme appropriate for your role and grade (see our main Pensions web page for details on which jobs and grades are eligible for each scheme).
I was in SAUL at a previous employer. Queen Mary is offering to put me in USS – can I instead re-join SAUL ?
Unfortunately, not. You are only eligible to join the scheme appropriate for your role and grade (see our main Pensions web page for details on which jobs and grades are eligible for each scheme).
What is the impact on my pension if my employment ends with immediate effect with a “Payment in Lieu of notice”?
If a staff member's employment is terminated at any time and with immediate effect, employees may be eligible to a payment in lieu of notice (“Payment in Lieu”). This payment will be equal to the basic salary at the date of termination, which the member of staff would have been entitled to receive during the notice period (or, if notice has already been given, during the remainder of the notice period). Payment in lieu will be subject to PAYE tax and NI deductions in the normal manner, but it will not be pensionable.
Upon leaving employment, your pension pot instantly switches from an active account to a deferred account, freezing your built-up benefits until you transfer them or reach retirement age.