Online Pension Self Service

Page updated 10 April 2026

Online pension records are available to pension scheme members through the UCD Employee Self Service (ESS) system. For detailed information and support for logging into ESS please see the ESS home page.

Benefits:

The online pension record will provide you with:

• Freedom of access to view your pensionable salary and pensionable service which includes transfers in from previous pension schemes and notional service purchase if applicable
• A snapshot of your retirement benefits
• Your Pension Scheme Explanatory Booklet
• FAQs document 
• Pensions Calculator

Pensions Calculator - All Schemes except Single Public Service Pension Scheme [SPSP]

The Pensions Calculator allows you to model “what if” scenarios by selecting different retirement options, ages at retirement, changing work patterns or your predicted salary at retirement.  These selections will feed into calculations of your pension, retirement gratuity and benefits payable to your dependants. 

Pensions Calculator - Single Public Service Pension Scheme [SPSP]

The ESS pension record will display benefits accrued under the SPSP to date at UCD . For a projection of benefits at retirement, you can use the calculator provided on the SPSP website.  This will give you a reasonable estimate of your benefits at retirement:

(opens in a new window)https://singlepensionscheme.gov.ie/for-members/scheme-information/ 

Please see below instructions which may assist you with this tool:

1. Copy and paste this link into Microsoft Edge (opens in a new window)https://singlepensionscheme.gov.ie/for-members/scheme-information/single-scheme-estimator-tool/
2. Copy 'Standard, Fast Accrual(Uniformed) and Judiciary Member Estimator Tool' link and paste into Microsoft Edge address bar.
3. Single Scheme Estimator Tool - Disclaimer should now appear.  In blue at the top of the screen you will see 'Download File'. Click on this.
4. The file will appear in your downloads, click on 'open'.
5. The excel document will now open.
6. Click on File Save As. Save the document to your deck top and close it.
7. Reopen the document and scroll down and click on 'accept'
8. A pop up box will appear 'Do you accept Disclaimer?', click on yes.
9. You should now have access to the document.

Points to note:

• Hard copy pension statements will only be issued from the Pensions Office for actual retirements, Family Law cases and final statements on leaving UCD.
• Members with less than 2 years’ service may not be entitled to a pension or gratuity but rather a refund of pension contributions. The Pension & Gratuity figures will appear as "zero" in your pension record.  Pension contribution deductions are shown on your payslip. 
• As Added Years are not guaranteed they will not appear on your online record.  Added Years may be granted at retirement date, at the discretion of the Minister for Education & Skills and the Minister for Finance, in respect of special qualifications or previous non-pensionable service prior to joining the University. For additional information on Added Years please visit the relevant page.
• In calculating pension benefits for a part time member of staff, the pensionable service is reduced pro rata to the full time equivalent but the full-time equivalent salary is used.
• Members can update their personal details through their ESS profile, including their Dependant and Next of Kin information. Please visit the "Update my Details" page for a step-by-step guide on how to update your personal details via your ESS profile.