Factsheet
UoDSS members options upon reaching 65 years of age
You can choose several options at age 65 to either stop contributions, continue contributions or access your pension while working
Updated on 6 November 2025
UODSS members have three options regarding their pension upon reaching the age of 65, as noted in Table 1 below:
Table 1: Age 65 options
| Retirement benefits | Life assurance benefits | Your contributions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Option A | Deferred Benefits at age 65 with uplift to allow for the fact you are retiring late (i.e. stop contributing to the scheme on your 65th birthday – but continuing to work). | Death-in-Service cover up to your 65th birthday only. | Payable for the period up to your 65th birthday only. |
| Option B | Continuous Service Benefits up to your actual retirement date (i.e. continue contributing to the scheme beyond your 65th birthday). | *Death-in-Service cover up to your retirement after your 65th birthday. | Payable for the period up to your retirement after your 65th birthday. |
| Option C | Access your pension benefits and continue to work on existing contract. | Death-in-service cover will cease at age 65, but you may be entitled to death-in-retirement benefits. | Payable for the period up to your 65th birthday only. |
Note: Your rights under auto enrolment legislation are not affected by this.
For more details on what your ‘Deferred Benefits’ and your ‘Continuous Service Benefits’ are based on, please refer to Table 2 below:
Table 2: Understanding your benefits
| Service | Salary | Uplift for late retirement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deferred Benefits (Option A) | Includes service up to your 65th birthday only | Pre Aug ‘11 benefits are based on the final salary applicable on your 65th birthday. Accrual each year after Aug ’11 will be based on the salary in the particular year plus inflation increases to your 65th birthday. | Yes. The pension is increased by a factor to reflect the later payment and the shorter period you will receive your pension. This factor aims to ensure fairness to members and cost neutrality for UODSS. |
| Continuous Service Benefits*(Option B) | Includes service up to the date you retire including service after your 65th birthday | Pre Aug ‘11 benefits are based on the final salary applicable on the date you retire. Accrual each year after Aug ’11 will be based on the salary in the particular year plus inflation increases until you retire. | No. |
*If you decide to remain in the Scheme (option B above), you will continue to be covered with Life Assurance benefits. You will also be paid the higher of either option A or option B at retirement.
To help with making a decision on this you may wish to request a couple of retirement quotes:
- Option A: withdrawing from the Scheme on/from your 65th birthday and accessing your benefits at a ‘later date’ – please confirm a ‘later date’.
- Option B: will be a quote using the same ‘later date’ (with continuous UoDSS service from age 65).
Please email [email protected] to request.
As with any significant financial decision it is recommended that you seek Independent Financial Advice. Details of Independent Financial Advisers in your area can be found through the Unbiased website.
To confirm your choice, please complete the University of Dundee Superannuation and Life Assurance Scheme (‘UoDSS’) Age 65- Response Form which is available to download at the bottom of this page and return to [email protected]. Once this has been received, we will arrange for the administrator to implement your choice as soon as possible thereafter.