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The University of Sussex has responded to the Universities UK (UUK) employer consultation which sought to understand the institution’s views in relation to the assumptions made about the USS pension scheme 2018 valuation.

Sussex has consulted and sought approval on its position from its governing body, Council, in order to respond to the consultation. The Council is made up of independent members, University staff and student representatives.

The University of Sussex Council response noted its support for the work carried out jointly between UCU and UUK in the Joint Expert Panel (JEP) and its disappointment that the recommendations of the JEP were not acceptable in full to USS. However in the interests of avoiding an imposition of higher increases that had already been announced, the University’s response made clear that employers needed to demonstrate the appetite for greater risk is reflected in mitigating measures.

The UUK consultation asked institutions to confirm support for a proposal for Contingent Contributions (CCs) to the USS Trustee. The Sussex response noted that whilst the University accepted the necessity of CCs in principle, care needed to be taken to create a mechanism which avoided unnecessary triggering of extra contributions. The University set out a number of criteria that should be met if this proposal was to go forward.

In addition, the University made specific note in its response that uncertainty and a high risk of higher contributions would be damaging to institutions, members and ultimately the scheme.

The University of Sussex leadership hope that a joint solution can be agreed between UUK and the University and College Union (UCU) to avoid significant rises in contributions for both employees and employers.