Payroll and Pensions

Your payslip is available electronically via HR Organiser, our secure self-service module in iTrent. You’ll be able to view your payslip at least two days before payday.

HR Organiser also provides your P60 each year.

If you’d like to receive your payslips directly by email, you can opt in via HR Organiser,

If you notice a problem with your pay, please email supay@essex.ac.uk. The payroll team will respond as quickly as possible.

• If you’ve been underpaid, we can offer a salary advance if needed.
• Any mistakes will be corrected on your next month’s pay.

It’s important that the SU has accurate personal information for payroll.

• When you start, log in to HR Organiser to check your details.
• You can update your address directly through HR Organiser.
• To update bank details, either:
  • Email supay@essex.ac.uk from your Essex email account, or
  • Visit the SU HR Office with your staff card and complete a change-of-details form.

For security, all email requests will be followed up with a phone call to verify your identity.

For tax questions, contact HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). If you have difficulty reaching HMRC, we can provide advice, but we cannot speak to HMRC on your behalf.

Important: HMRC do not send emails. If you receive one claiming to be from HMRC, do not respond – it’s a phishing attempt.

Your SU tax reference

University of Essex Students’ Union – 245/HZ70109

Being a SAUL Start member gives you:

• A pension and a tax-free lump sum when you retire
• Your pension pot as a tax-free lump sum if you’re too ill to work (with some conditions)
• Flexibility – you can take your pension with you if you change jobs
• Peace of mind – if you die, your beneficiaries will get a lump sum of eight times your salary plus the value of your pension pot

Find out more about your retirement options on the Retiring from SAUL page of the SAUL website.

You’ll pay 6% of your salary into SAUL Start. This comes from your annual salary plus any permanent allowances (like London weighting or responsibility allowance) and overtime. It doesn’t include bonuses or commission.

The SU also pays in. We’ll contribute 15% of your salary, plus an extra 1% to cover the costs of running the plan and paying death-in-service benefits.

Want to know how your pension is worked out? Check the How do you work out my pension section on the SAUL site.

If you joined the SU after 1 April 2023, are in a Manager job family or below, and are contributing to SAUL Start, you can opt out if you wish.

Here’s how it works:

• Option 1 – New starter: complete the SAUL Start opt out form with your starter checklist on day one
• Option 2 – Less than 30 days: opt out via the Worksave Choice* link (you’ll find this in your welcome email from Legal & General)
• Option 3 – More than 30 days: opt out via Manage Your Account** on the Legal & General website (note: after 30 days, you won’t get a refund)
• SAUL Care Opt Out Form – if you’re already in SAUL Care

* Worksave Choice is the enrolment service from Legal & General – your welcome email will tell you your employment code and your opt out deadline.

** Manage Your Account is your Legal & General online portal – you’ll need your customer reference number from your welcome pack to register and opt out.

Being a member of USS gives you:

• A guaranteed income for life in retirement, plus the option of a tax-free lump sum
• Flexibility, through the Investment Builder, to choose how your savings are invested and accessed
• Peace of mind – if you die while an active member, your beneficiaries will receive a lump sum plus benefits from your pension
• Protection if you’re too ill to work, with an income provided in some circumstances

Find out more about your retirement options on the I’m new to USS page of the USS website.

You’ll pay 6.1% of your salary into USS.

The SU also pays in on your behalf – currently 14.5% of your salary. This contribution covers the cost of building your pension and helps fund benefits such as life cover and ill-health protection.

Your contributions are deducted automatically from your salary before tax, making saving more efficient.

You can view and manage your pension at any time through My USS.

Here you can:

• See your pension record
• Track your Retirement Income Builder benefits
• Manage your Investment Builder savings and investment choices

If you’re a new member of USS, you have the option to opt out if you wish.

Here’s how it works:

• New starter: complete the USS opt-out form on your first day
• Within 30 days: opt out online via the My USS portal
• After 30 days: you can still opt out, but you won’t receive a refund of contributions already paid

USS publishes monthly updates, factsheets and forms to keep members informed.

Every three years, USS also carries out a pension valuation. This is a detailed check to make sure the scheme has enough money to pay the benefits already built up, and to confirm what’s needed to maintain current benefits for active members in the future.