Views from USS

26 May 2022

USS publishes Stewardship Code Report 2022

Reporting season is once again upon us, and this year marks the second iteration of our Stewardship Code Report. We became a signatory to the new Stewardship Code last year, and to retain this status, we submitted a 2021/22 report to the FRC at the end of April 2022. The Code comprises a set of 12 ‘apply and explain’ Principles for asset managers and asset owners, and our report must evidence how we have applied them over the previous year.

16 February 2022

Scheme funding: what’s the latest picture?

It’s coming up to two years since the date of the 2020 valuation. What’s been happening to the funding position in that time and where do things stand today?

3 February 2022

USS responds to DWP's Climate Investment and Reporting consultation

We recently responded to DWP’s Climate Investment and Reporting Consultation which sought views on additional requirements and metrics for climate reporting.

24 January 2022

Cost and value for money in USS

Value for money matters at the best of times but, with rising inflation and conditions in financial markets making defined benefit pensions more expensive, it is more important than ever that we can demonstrate that USS is run in a cost-effective manner.

6 January 2022

Institutions’ Meeting 2021

We held our annual Institutions’ Meeting at the Royal College of Physicians on Thursday 2 December 2021.

7 December 2021

Our investment in Thames Water

USS has been invested in Thames Water since 2017 and has just announced a further investment to take its shareholding to nearly 20%. Mike Powell, Head of Private Markets, explains why.

29 November 2021

There is no silver bullet in the UK’s pension dispute

Passions are running high in the debate over UK university pensions. This is wholly understandable: pensions are an important influence on the financial security of members and their families and on the financial stability of many academic institutions. We all wish to provide the best possible outcome, but we must deal with the world as it is, not as we wish it would be.

16 November 2021

Progressing our journey to Net Zero - the next steps

USS announced its Net Zero ambitions in May this year. Simon Pilcher, CEO of the wholly-owned investment subsidiary, USS Investment Management, explains what has happened since.

4 November 2021

USS responds to Primary Markets Effectiveness Review consultation

As we have highlighted in the past, USS would be strongly opposed to proposals which could dilute key investor protections and shareholder rights and set a precedent which could lead to unintended consequences for investors in the UK market. USS calls for the retention of the UK’s listing rules on dual class voting structures and free float thresholds and that the principle of one-share, one-vote is protected.