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Pay and contributions

Information about calculating member pay, protection of pay and contribution tiers.

Pay

What counts as pensionable pay

Pensionable earnings are determined by the member's employment or engagement terms.

Certain earnings are included or excluded for a member who is employed by:

  • an NHS organisation
  • a GP surgery
  • a non-GP provider
  • a direction body
  • an independent provider

For these members, their pensionable earnings include:

  • salary
  • wages
  • fees

Their pensionable earnings exclude:

  • bonuses
  • payments to cover expenses
  • payments for overtime in excess of full time equivalent hours
  • non-consolidated pay awards or increases

There is specific guidance for members who are engaged as:

  • general medical practitioners
  • non GP providers
  • general dental practitioners

Their pensionable earnings are explained in:

Their pensionable earnings exclude non-NHS income.

You can contact us if you have any queries about pensionable pay, or performance related pay or bonuses.

2008 Section

Find out more about pensionable pay for 2008 Section members:

Total reckonable pay (PDF: 235KB)You can get more information about the 2008 Section Earnings Cap in our Earnings Cap guidance (PDF: 203KB)

Protection of pay

Our Protection of Pay and Voluntary Protection of Pay document (Word: 249KB) has further information about:

  • Protection of Pay (1995/2008 Scheme)
  • Voluntary Protection of Pay (1995 Section only)

If you have any enquires you can use the request to protect Pensionable Pay (SM R9 EA) form (Word: 255KB)

Deemed pay

Deemed pay is pay that would have been paid to a member, if they had not been absent from duty.

You can find out more information in the deemed pay factsheet (PDF: 87.9KB).

Contributions

Member contributions changed on 1 April 2024 - the tier ranges were revised from 1 April 2025 in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The tier range may be altered again depending upon any changes to the Agenda for Change pay ranges for England.

Member contributions from 1 April 2025

Pensionable pay range from 1 April 2025

Contribution rates from 1 April 2025, based on actual annual pensionable pay

Up to £13,259

5.2%

£13,260 to £27,288

6.5%

£27,289 to £33,247

8.3%

£33,248 to £49,913

9.8%

£49,914 to £63,994

10.7%

£63,995 and above

12.5%

The contributions paid are based on the member’s actual annual pensionable pay. This means that from 1 April 2025 some members may move to a lower contribution rate. When the Agenda for Change pay award for England is announced and comes into effect later in the year, it could be backdated, and they could receive 'back pay'. Any increase in their actual annual pensionable pay may push them into the next pay range. If this happens, arrears of contributions will be payable.

You can contact us if you have any queries about contributions.

Factsheets

Visit the employer information page for guidance on the changes to member contributions introduced from 1 April 2024.

Read the factsheets for other contribution guidance you may need:
Outstanding contributions factsheet (PDF: 38.9KB)Call up of Reservists (PDF: 108KB)