Financial benefits
Relocation
The University operates a Relocation Scheme that may be available to new staff, depending upon circumstances and their eligibility.
Further information
Email: relocationofficer@admin.ox.ac.uk
Pension scheme
There are four types of pension scheme available to university staff; three of these are occupational pension schemes:
- Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS): a national scheme for staff on academic and academic-related grades;
- University of Oxford Staff Pension Scheme (OSPS): the University's own scheme for staff on pay scales other than academic or academic-related. The scheme is also open to similar employees of colleges and othe participating institutions.
- National Health Service Pension Scheme (NHSPS): a national scheme for NHS employees,which applies within the University only to those staff in the medical school who were active members of the NHSPS immediately prior to employment by the University.
- University of Oxford Stakeholder Scheme (Stakeholder): available to any University staff member for whom membership of one of the other schemes is not appropriate, and to some members of the other schemes as a Free Standing AVC Scheme. Administered wholly by Legal & General.
All these schemes allow members to make additional voluntary contributions to secure additional benefits.
In addition, the stakeholder pension scheme is open to all staff for whom the other schemes may not be appropriate. Contributions to the stakeholder scheme may be at any level, subject only to Inland Revenue limits.
Subject to certain limited exceptions, if you are eligible to become a member of either USS or OSPS and you join the pension scheme, you are automatically enrolled in the University's salary exchange scheme for pension contributions from three months after the date of joining the pension scheme.
Further details of the scheme are in section 3.5 of the Handbooks for Support Staff and Academic-related Staff.
A new employee may opt out of Salary Exchange. To do so you must give notice in writing to the Payroll Manager that you do not wish to join the scheme at least one month before you are automatically enrolled.
Long service allowance
Support staff (grades 1-5) who have 25 years continuous service with the University may be eligible for a special payment, as an award for their long service. The amount of the payment will vary from year to year and will be subject to tax. It will be paid through the University payroll. Further information on the scheme can be obtained from your individual departmental administrator.
Private housing
The Accommodation Office hold a private housing list which any member of Oxford University can register for.
Assistance in cases of hardship
As a general rule, the University does not give loans or advances of salary. However, people in circumstances of exceptional hardship may apply to be considered for assistance. For further information contact your departmental administrator.