When will I get paid?
Payday is the 28th of each month, if this falls on a weekend or bank holiday, then we pay on the working day before.
Payslips
The SU provides electronic payslips via a secure online system, HR Organiser, which is a self-service module of our HR system, iTrent. Your payslip will be available to view at least 2 days before payday. Not only can you view your payslips but you’ll also receive your P60 through HR Organiser.
Pay queries
If you have a query with your pay, please email supay@essex.ac.uk and a member of the team will endeavour to respond as soon as possible. If there has been a mistake, and you’ve been paid less than you should have we will offer you a salary advance if required and any mistakes will be rectified the following month.
Information held in Payroll/Changes
It is important that the personal information we hold in payroll is accurate, therefore when you first start working for the SU it is strongly recommended that you log on to HR Organiser to check that your details are correct. Your address can be changed through HR Organiser. If your bank details need to be updated, you will need to either email supay@essex.ac.uk from your Essex email account or come to the SU HR Office with your staff card and complete a change of details form. In order to mitigate the risk of fraud, all email requests will be followed up by a phone call from Payroll (so we can check that it’s really from you!)
Queries about tax
If you have questions about your tax, please contact HM Revenues and Customs (HMRC). If you have problems contacting HMRC, please contact us as although we can't speak to HMRC on your behalf, we can give you advice.
HMRC do not communicate via email. If you receive an email claiming to be from HMRC, please do not respond to the email as it will be a phishing attempt.
Your SU tax reference
University of Essex Students’ Union – 245/HZ70109
PENSIONS
Pension Auto-enrolment
The law surrounding pensions was changed in 2012; the change introduced a new requirement for all employers to introduce a workplace pension. This meant that every employer has to provide a pension, assess the eligibility of all employees and enrol employees into the pension in accordance with the rules.
You will be assessed under the auto-enrolment rules and enrolled as per the current rules in place. You will be notified of the outcome of any assessment to ensure you are kept up to date with your pension arrangements.
Benefits of a workplace pension
The aim is to help more people have another income, in addition to the state pension, when they retire. The state pension is a foundation for your retirement but if you want to have more, you need to save during your working life.
You can opt out if you want to, but if you stay in you'll have your own pension which you get when you retire. What's more, if you stay in, we will contribute to your pension and the government will also contribute through tax relief. So, unlike other ways of saving, being in a workplace pension means you're not the only one putting money in.
Every three years the SU, has to re-enrol certain employees. If you are a members already this does not affect you; however if you have chosen to opt-out, we must by law, re-assess you and enrol you if required. We will always notify you of any changes in your pension.
Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) Pension
USS is the pension scheme for Students’ Union employees
About the scheme
USS is the pension scheme provided by more than 370 UK universities and higher education and research institutions. It was established collectively by universities in 1975 and is one of the largest pension schemes in the country.
USS is a large centralised hybrid (some defined benefit and defined contributions elements) pension scheme which provides benefits for your retirement and protection in the event of your death or incapacity. It has two sections.
- USS Retirement Income Builder (April 2016 onwards)
- USS Retirement Investment Builder (October 2016 onwards)
Member communication
USS release monthly communications to members, along with factsheets and forms. You can find the latest information here.
Leaving the pension scheme
Although you will be automatically enrolled into a pension scheme, you do have a choice as to whether you remain in the scheme or not.
Before you opt out of any pension scheme, you should think carefully about the benefits you will be giving up. The SU cannot provide any financial advice and recommend that you speak to an Independent Financial Advisor to discuss your options. You can use Unbiased to find one local to you.
Contributions you have already paid
If you opt out within three months you will receive a full refund, minus any tax and national insurance due, through payroll.
If you wish to leave but have been a member for more than three months you cannot receive a refund. The fund is frozen, this is known as deferred, for you until you wish to retire or transfer the pot to another pension provider. If you wish to discuss your options please contact supay@essex.ac.uk who can provide further information.
If you have been a member longer than three months then your pension pot is deferred until you wish to retire or start to contribute to the scheme again.
How to opt out
Opting out is initiated by contacting your pension scheme directly. Please pay careful attention to any formal letters that you receive about your enrolment, so that you can respond if necessary.