Find Out More and FAQs
Your pension scheme is a valuable part of your pay and reward package, helping you save for your future. All of the schemes carry additional benefits, including ‘death in service’ and benefits for your family, such as pensions for spouse/dependant partners and dependant children, should something happen to you.
You can find a table below of the pension schemes and who can join at NTU:
| Pension scheme | Who can join |
| Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) | If you work in a professional, support, or research role |
|---|---|
| Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) | If you are an academic |
| Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) | All academic colleagues and colleagues on comparable grades (Grade H or above) |
| Retirement Savings Plan | If you are not a member of an alternative pension scheme |
Most colleagues are automatically enrolled into the relevant contractual pension scheme, but you can still join or re-join if you have previously opted out.
You can find more information about the LGPS, TPS, and USS on MyHub.
To join all other pension schemes, please email payroll@ntu.ac.uk
| Info | RSP | LGPS | TPS | USS |
| Type | Defined Contribution | Defined benefit CARE | Defined benefit CARE | Defined Benefit CARE – Defined Contribution for earnings above the salary threshold* |
| Eligibility | All colleagues | If you work in a professional services, support, or research role | If you are in a teaching role | If you are contributing to USS immediately before joining NTU, you may be able to remain in this scheme. USS will also be available to all academic colleagues and colleagues on comparable grades (Grade H and above) from 1 August 2025. |
| Your contribution | 0-6% (2% Default)** | 5.5-12.5% | 7.4-12% | 6.1% |
| NTU contribution | 8-14% (10% Default)** | 17.2% | 28.68% | 14.5% |
| Employee contribution type | Flexible, through salary sacrifice | Fixed dependent on salary | Fixed dependent on salary | Fixed |
| Life Assurance*** | 5 x salary | 3 x salary | 3 x salary | 3 x salary |
| Find out more | https://shorturl.at/YrWQK / | www.lgpsmember.org | www.teacherspensions.co.uk | www.uss.co.uk |
* The salary threshold is £71,484 for 2025-26.
** Contributions will increase to 6% (employee) and 14% (NTU) from August 2025.
*** How each pension calculates death in service/life assurance may relate to salary or pensionable pay. For the exact calculation see each pensions website.
For a definition of pension scheme type, visit our pension acronyms explained page