Paying into USS. Is the limit I can pay into each year gross or net?

dllive

Hi guys

9.6% automatically gets taken from my salary each month and paid into USS (and my employer contributes 21%). I also make monthly AVCs of 80%+ of my monthly wage.

I know I cant pay more than my annual income into USS each year, but is the limit I can pay into USS each year my salary 'gross' or 'net'?

'Gross' is my income before tax is it?

So if Im earning £50k, as long as my monthly 9.6% and my AVCs arent over £50k I should be ok?

Thanks

QrizB

The limit is gross.

What is the tax treatment of your AVC contributions? Net pay or relief at source?

Doctor_Who

dllive said:

Hi guys

9.6% automatically gets taken from my salary each month and paid into USS (and my employer contributes 21%). I also make monthly AVCs of 80%+ of my monthly wage.

I know I cant pay more than my annual income into USS each year, but is the limit I can pay into USS each year my salary 'gross' or 'net'?

'Gross' is my income before tax is it?

So if Im earning £50k, as long as my monthly 9.6% and my AVCs arent over £50k I should be ok?

Thanks

It's more complicated than that! For DB schemes you need to calculate the benefit you accrue over the year, it's not the 9.6% of salary figure. Below is taken from the USS website:

• For the Retirement Income Builder (defined benefit), the measure is based on the value of the benefits you’ve earned over the tax year (it’s not based on contributions from you and your employer). The value of your Retirement Income Builder benefits is calculated as 19 times your annual pension accrued in the tax year for AA purposes.

https://www.uss.co.uk/for-members/pension-tax/annual-allowance

QrizB

Doctor_Who said:

dllive said:

Hi guys

9.6% automatically gets taken from my salary each month and paid into USS (and my employer contributes 21%). I also make monthly AVCs of 80%+ of my monthly wage.

I know I cant pay more than my annual income into USS each year, but is the limit I can pay into USS each year my salary 'gross' or 'net'?

'Gross' is my income before tax is it?

So if Im earning £50k, as long as my monthly 9.6% and my AVCs arent over £50k I should be ok?

Thanks

It's more complicated than that! For DB schemes you need to calculate the benefit you accrue over the year, it's not the 9.6% of salary figure.

You're quoting the annual allowance calculation, not the salary limit.

Both apply; personal contributions are limited to your gross "relevant earnings", typically salary, and (personal + employer) contributions are limited to the annual allowance. Although unused annual allowance from the previous three years can carry over.