USS Pension "Opt Out" -...

USS Pension "Opt Out" - Employer's contribution paid out to Fellows monthly? Dear All, many members are asking about the USS pension scheme (workplace pension). Marie Curie Fellows have the option to "Opt out" of this additional pension scheme. The money should then be paid out them. This pension scheme consists of two components: (1) Employee contributions of 8% on entire salary and (2) employer contributions of 18% on entire salary. Together this makes 26 %, a very considerable sum. Now if the Fellow opts out, some employers/universities pay out the employer's contributions (18%) to them monthly. Others, on the other hand, keep them and pay them out as a lump sum at the very end of the fellowship. It should be useful to gather some evidence about how the universities behave. I am therefore asking all of you to contribute and tell your story. This might be helpful for all of those who want to argue with their university that they want this money to be paid out *monthly* and not as a lump sum at the very end. Best Stefan