USS members can make Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) into the Investment Builder section of the USS scheme. Members who earn over the salary threshold will already be having some of their contributions paid into the Investment Builder.

You can choose to make regular monthly AVCs, a single one-off lump sum or a combination of the two. The maximum you are able to contribute to AVCs is 100% of your salary each month, less your ordinary scheme contributions and any other deductions that come out of your pay (e.g. National Insurance, parking charges, Cyclescheme etc.). You may need to liaise with Payroll before making your election in order to determine the maximum amount you are able to elect for.

It is not possible to pay AVCs via salary sacrifice.

If you want to make AVCs to USS you need to elect to do this through the My USS member portal. Once you have made an election, the deduction from your pay will be made for the next available payroll run.

Login to the USS member portal

Take a look at USS' video on how to make additional contributions.

Previous schemes

This section is for information only - these schemes are no longer available to join.

The Match

Under the Match facility, the first 1% of additional contributions that you paid into the Investment Builder was matched by your employer.

Please note that the Match was withdrawn from 31 March 2019. If you have previously elected for the Match, you will no longer receive a 1% contribution from your employer. Your own contributions will continue, unless you take action to stop them. If you want to stop contributing to the Match you can do so by logging into your My USS member portal.

USS Money Purchase AVC

It is no longer possible to take out a money purchase AVCs (MPAVCs) through Prudential, although some individuals will still hold funds in this facility and some may still be paying into it. You can find out more information about the historic Prudential AVC scheme by visiting: http://www.pru.co.uk/uss.

Funds in the Prudential MPAVC will eventually be transferred into the Investment Builder. You can find out more about this on the USS website.

Added years and revalued benefits AVCs

Added years AVCs and revalued benefits AVCs have now been withdrawn and there is no further opportunity to commence a new AVC policy of these types, although some individuals may still be paying into these arrangements.

If you already have an added years or career revalued benefits AVC policy, you can find out more information about it on the USS website.