Pension benefits on the horizon
Now you’re getting closer to taking your pension benefits, your retirement plans might be high on your list of priorities.
When we surveyed our members, 37% of those in your age group said that they are not sure about the decisions they want to make around their pension. But you do not have to make those decisions alone, as there’s a range of support and guidance available to help you make the choices that are right for you:
USS guidance webinars
Our webinars guide you through the process of taking your benefits and retiring from USS. You can register to attend them live or watch a recording at a time that suits you. Here are a few that might be useful:
- Approaching retirement: guides you through the retirement process and taking your benefits.
- Focus on pension tax: an in-depth session on tax allowances, if you are making or have significant pension savings.
- Understanding DC — Taking savings from the Investment Builder: if you have savings in the Investment Builder, this talks you through the different ways you can take them.
Other free support
Your employer might offer a guidance service. There’s also MoneyHelper, a free resource backed by the government, to help make your money and pensions choices clearer.
Useful tools
You’re probably already aware of them, but we have a range of tools you can use. The most important one is the Benefit Calculator in My USS. You can use this to project the effects of taking your benefits in different ways and at different times. This can help with decisions you need to make and with any conversation you might have with a financial adviser.
Access to financial advice
You can choose your own financial advisers or you can use the financial advisers we use to host our webinars, Mercer. You can contact them on the Mercer website.
Published: 17 June 2026