General Information
Page updated 12 August 2022
UCD currently operates defined benefit pension schemes. It is one of the terms and conditions of your employment in UCD to be a member of the pension scheme. Your Explanatory Booklet is available on your online pensions records, however booklets for the various schemes are available as follows:
- 1995 UCD Contributory Pension Scheme Explanatory Booklet
- UCD Model Pension Scheme Explanatory Booklet
- (opens in a new window)The Single Public Service Pension Scheme Booklet
- 1978 UCD Pension Scheme Explanatory Booklet
Please ensure you are looking at the correct leaflet by reading the first paragraph on each leaflet carefully. If you are unsure which scheme you are a member of please in the first instance visit our Retirement section for further guidelines on your pension scheme allocation. Alternatively, you can email (opens in a new window)pensions@ucd.ie with your personnel number and request your pension details.
Online Pension Self Service
Online pension records are available to pension scheme members through the UCD Employee Self Service (ESS) system. Visit the Online Pensions Self Service page for information relevant to members' online pension records including access to the UCD ESS system, the UCD Pension Self Service User Guide and an overview of the key benefits of this service. This service includes access to an online pensions calculator which allows you to model different retirement scenarios by selecting different retirement options, ages at retirement, changing work patterns or your predicted salary at retirement.
Single Public Service Pension Scheme Members
Members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme can access their scheme resources online through the (opens in a new window)Single Scheme website provided by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The member section of this website includes the scheme member booklets, the latest scheme news items, links to relevant legislation with online calculation tools including a retirement benefits calculator tool and a purchase and transfer in calculator tool.
Single scheme members should firstly consult this website for any pension queries. For additional queries members can email (opens in a new window)pensions@ucd.ie with their personnel number and request further information.
Pensions-related Information
The UCD Pensions Office also provide information on pension related matters such as Retirement (including normal retirement and early retirement), AVCs, Notional Service, PRSAs, Transferring Pension Benefits and Leaver Benefits.
Visit the HR Helpdesk page for contact details for the UCD Pensions Team.
Pensions Seminars
The UCD Pensions Office delivers several pensions seminars each year including seminars for New Starters, Notional Service and AVCs, Mid-Career Financial Planning and Retirement Planning courses. For an overview of each of these seminars, scheduled seminar dates and the option to book a place on one of these seminars, visit the People Development services section.
Further Services
It is very important that any changes in family status such as marriage, birth of children, separation or divorce are promptly advised and updated on your HR record. Please see Update My Details area of the website for more information.
Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR) procedure for pension appeals
IDR procedures apply where one wishes to appeal a decision directly linked to pension scheme terms and/or pension benefits. Appellants under these IDR procedures can be beneficiaries and disputed/potential beneficiaries of pre-existing schemes. Appeals should be raised with the UCD Pensions Office initially. A written explanation will be provided by the UCD Pensions Office to the beneficiary. If the beneficiary is not satisfied with the response, a formal appeal must then be submitted by the beneficiary to the UCD Pensions Office. The UCD Pensions Office will then coordinate the appeal and forward to the HEA for consideration. The HEA/Department of Education and Skills and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform will issue a final determination.
Circular 16/2020 Circular Title: Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR) procedure for pension appeals in relation to beneficiaries/disputed beneficiaries of pre-existing civil service pension schemes and of certain public service pre-existing pension schemes