We’ve reduced the size your Annual Member Statement to provide you with the key information in a short, snappy and easy to understand format. This is in line with the Governments initiative for all workplace pensions to provide simpler annual benefits statements for their members. As well as being much easier to read and digest, the smaller statement uses less paper so its cost efficient and better for the environment. We’re hoping to provide online statements in the near future.
Get to grips with your statement
Your annual statement is a chance for you to catch up on your pension, to think about whether you need to make any changes and an opportunity to set some savings goals.
Check out the short video to help you understand the importance of saving for the future and how to navigate your statement.
Take 15 minutes out, review your statement and prepare for your future
If you’ve joined the scheme since 31 March 2019, you’ll receive your first statement from us in 2021.
Tell us what you think
Each year, we use member feedback to improve our Annual Member Statement, making sure we give you the information you've told us you need to plan for the future.
Let us know your thoughts on this year’s statement, by taking our short survey.
Resources
There’s a number of resources available to help you get the most from your statement on our website, including a full library of articles dedicated to helping you understand your pension better. If you don’t find what you’re looking for or there’s anything that you’re not sure about, the FAQ section at the bottom of this page will help.
About your statement
Your Investment Builder fund value
If you have Investment Builder savings and their value has reduced since last year, it's because figures provided in your Annual Member Statement give a snapshot of your Investment Builder savings as at 31 March 2020. At that point in time, COVID-19 was having a severe impact on investments, so some members are likely to have seen reductions in their fund values when compared to the figures in their 2019 statements.
The financial markets have improved somewhat since March, and we believe they will generally recover from this dip in the longer term. This should be reflected in your Investment Builder savings. Defined contributions arrangements, like the Investment Builder are long-term savings vehicles, and you can see the most up to date value of your Investment Builder savings by logging into My USS, where you can also make or change your investment decisions.
The benefits you've already built up in the Retirement Income Builder, the defined benefit part of USS, are not changed by the performance of financial markets. They're protected in law and backed by the collective financial strength our sponsoring employers.
To find out more about the Retirement Income Builder, the Investment Builder and the options available to you, visit the for members part of our website.
Financial advice and further information
The information included in your Annual Member Statement is given only for the purposes of illustration and doesn’t represent any promise or guarantee as to the amount of benefit that you may receive and should not be relied upon when making any retirement or other financial decisions. Please contact your employer in the first instance if you need a retirement quote, or if you think any information in your statement may not be complete or accurate. We strongly recommend that you speak to a financial adviser before making any decision in relation to your USS benefits. If you want to seek guidance or take financial advice on the options available to you, visit the guidance and financial advice page. You’ll find a range of resources to support your planning and you can also find information on how to access an independent financial adviser.
There is a wide range of helpful information on My USS and our website. You might also find answers to general pensions questions you have on the Money and Pensions Service website.
If you have any further questions not answered here or on our website, you can contact us.