Dundee University has moved to reassure staff as it emerged the institution’s pension pot is more than £34 million in deficit.
The UoDSS scheme provides for the futures of hundreds of employees at the institution, including clerical, technical, manual and support staff.
Bosses have said they are working towards agreeing a way of funding the deficit with trustees and that their efforts are “ongoing”.
The university has stressed that there is no need for concern on the part of its staff and that it will have no impact upon them as the pension pot remains well served.
UoDSS is one of two main pension schemes operated on behalf of university staff, with academic and academic-related staff part of the national Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS).
It was at the heart of a threatened national protest involving staff from 67 UK universities including Dundee last year.
Lecturers and other teaching staff believed tens of thousands of pounds a year would be wiped off their pensions under proposed changes to the scheme.
That action was averted as reforms were eventually agreed in January by both Universities UK and the University and College Union.
One expert told The Courier that in the case of a large and well managed business a pension deficit was “more a concern for the employer than for employees”.
A Dundee University spokesman said the staff had no cause for concern.
“Clerical, technical, manual and support staff are covered by the University of Dundee Superannuation and Life Assurance Scheme (UoDSS),” he said.
“In the latest published accounts of the university, which are publicly available, there is a deficit on the UoDSS scheme of £34,123,000.
“The university will agree a way of funding that deficit with the trustees and this work is ongoing. There are no plans to change the benefits for staff in this scheme.”