Human Resources Division

Financial benefits

University employees have access to over 1,700 local and national shopping discounts, discounted health, dental and optical care and a range of discounts on financial services including home, car and travel insurance. Employees also have access to contribution reward schemes and highly competitive pension schemes.

CAMbens Discounts

CAMbens Discounts

An outstanding shopping discounts scheme for University employees. To register and find out more please visit www.cambensdiscounts.co.uk.

To register with CAMbens discounts, you will be asked to provide your payroll number, date of birth and home postcode. You are asked to provide this information to confirm your eligibility to join the scheme and for security purposes should you wish to withdraw cash back or request changes to your details in the future. For more information about the scheme, please read About CAMbens Discounts. If you have any further questions, please call the CAMbens Discounts helpline on 0845 299 0908 (Mon–Fri, 8am to 8pm. Sat–Sun, 10am to 4pm).

Local discounts

The University of Cambridge is committed to supporting local businesses and a range of local discounts have been incorporated into the CAMbens Discount scheme.

Pension schemes

The Pensions Section manages the following pensions schemes:

  • Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS)
  • Cambridge University Assistants' Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS)
  • National Health Service Pension Scheme (NHSPS)
  • Cambridge Colleges' Federated Pension Scheme (CCFPS)

Payroll Giving

Payroll Giving is a simple, tax-efficient way for employees to make monthly donations to any UK registered charity directly from their gross pay.

Shared Equity Scheme

The Shared Equity Scheme set up by the University of Cambridge exists to provide financial assistance to new members of academic or academic-related staff with the purchase of living accommodation in the Cambridge area, where they have to relocate to take up their appointment and encounter difficulties doing so. In this case, the University may pay for a direct share in the equity of a property purchased by a member of staff (and possible co-owner) as their primary residence, i.e. the University will buy the chosen property jointly with the member of staff.

Orange Discount

Orange

With Orange Perk University staff can take advantage of some exclusive offers when joining Orange:

  • 25% off pay monthly packages (includes iPhones).
  • 10% off 1 and 12 month mobile broadband contracts.
  • £20 off any pay as you go phone over £30 (excludes iPhones).
  • 25% off accessories.

Other great benefits include:

  • Unlimited Orange calls with magic numbers.
  • 2 for 1 movies and Pizza Express pizzas with Orange Wednesdays.
  • Discounted home broadband for being an Orange customer.

Visit the local Orange shop in Cambridge Petty Cury taking along one of your last 2 months payslips. If you want to sign up to a pay monthly packages, you'll also need to take:

  • Proof of your address (such as a UK drivers licence, bank statement or a utility bill dated in the last 3 months).
  • Proof of your signature (such as a debit or credit card, or valid passport).
  • For full terms and conditions, please visit www.orange.co.uk/perk.

Santander financial products

Santander

Santander opened its University branch in Cambridge in May 2009. Since then the bank has provided tailored service to students and staff, launching products that offer better conditions than those offered in other Santander branches.

At the moment they are offering a Loyalty ISA with a guaranteed minimum rate of 2.81% AER tax free (variable) for 12 months. It pays 2.31% above the Bank of England base rate for 12 months. This is normally reserved for Santander Mortgage or Investment customers but it now open to all University staff.

Santander are also offering a Loyalty Tracker Bond with a rate of 3.00% gross/AER (variable) on balances from £10,000. The rate will track any changes in the Bank of England Base Rate until 1 September 2012.

In mortgages they are currently offering a 2-year Tracker rate of 2.15% with £1,495 booking fee and a 2-year Fixed rate of 3.99% with £995 booking fee.

For more information about these and any other products exclusive to universities please contact Branch Manager Kevin Bardwell (tel. 07500 951770, email kevin.bardwell@santander.co.uk, or visit your University branch on 60 St Andrew's Street.

University Credit Card

The University of Cambridge VISA Card is exclusive to alumni and staff of the University. Further information is available from the Alumni Relations Office (tel. (3)32288).