| | Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) | Assistants’ Pension Scheme (pre 01/01/2013 joiners) | Assistants’ Pension Scheme (post 31/12/2012 joiners) |
| | | Cambridge University Assistants’ Contributory Pension Scheme (CUACPS) | Cambridge University Assistants’ Contributory Pension Scheme (CUACPS) | Cambridge University Assistants’ Defined Contribution Pension Scheme (CUADCPS) |
| Scheme type | Hybrid. Career Revalued Benefit (CRB) for earnings up to Salary Threshold (Income Builder) and defined contribution (DC) for earnings in excess of salary threshold (Investment Builder) | Career Revalued Benefit | Post 31/12/12 joiners receive both the Career Revalued benefit and the Defined Contribution benefit set out below |
| Career Revalued Benefit | Defined Contribution |
| Salary Threshold | £71,484 p.a. (2025/26) | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Annual pension earned | 1/75th of pensionable earnings to Salary Threshold (Income Builder) | To 31/12/2017: 1/95th of pensionable earnings. From 01/01/2018: 1/100th of pensionable earnings | 1/150th of pensionable earnings | n/a |
| Annual lump sum earned | 3 times pension (Income Builder) | 3 times pension | 3 times pension | n/a |
| Annual contribution to individual DC Fund | 20% of salary in excess of the Salary Threshold | n/a | n/a | 5% of full Salary |
| Normal Pension Age (NPA) | 66, but increases in line with State Pension Age | 65 | 65 | 65 |
| Revaluation of benefits already earned | In line with the increase in the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) to 5% per annum. If CPI is higher than 5% then half of any excess up to a maximum increase of 10% per annum (Income Builder) | In line with the Retail Prices Index (RPI) to a maximum of 5% per annum. If the RPI is higher than 5% any increase is at the discretion of the University | In line with the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) to a maximum of 5% per annum. If the CPI is higher than 5% any increase is at the discretion of the University | n/a |
| Employee contribution | 6.1% of pensionable pay | 5% of pensionable pay | 3% of pensionable pay | No mandatory employee contribution |
| Employer contribution | 14.5% of pensionable pay | 13.4% of pensionable pay | 6.9% of pensionable pay | 5% of pensionable pay |
| Death in service lump sum | 3 times pensionable pay | If joined before 01/12/2009 4 times pensionable pay. If joined after 30/11/2009 3 times pensionable pay | 5 times pensionable pay | Payment equal to value of funds held in your name |
| Spouse’s pension on death in service | 50% of prospective pension at NPA | If joined before 01/12/2009 75% of prospective pension at NPA . If joined after 30/11/2009 50% of prospective pension at NPA | 50% of prospective pension at NPA | n/a |
| Ill health retirement | Partial Incapacity – benefits calculated as at date of retirement. Total Incapacity – benefits calculated as if retiring at NPA | Ill Health – ill health enhancement of 1 year for each 5 years of completed service. Incapacity – benefits calculated as if retiring at NPA | Ill Health – ill health enhancement of 1 year for each 5 years of completed service. Incapacity – benefits calculated as if retiring at NPA | Benefits which can be purchased with the funds held in your name |
| Pension increases | In line with the increase in the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) to 5% per annum. If CPI is higher than 5% then half of any excess up to a maximum increase of 10% per annum (Income Builder). Increases in Investment Builder depend on benefits selected at retirement | In line with the Retail Prices Index (RPI) to a maximum of 5% per annum. If the RPI is higher than 5% any increase is at the discretion of the University | In line with the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) to a maximum of 5% per annum. If the CPI is higher than 5% any increase is at the discretion of the University | Depends on benefits selected at retirement |
