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:
- the GP providers and non GP providers certificate of pensionable income and other GP pension forms on our information for practitioners and non-GP providers page
- the guide for NHS general dental practitioners (PDF: 348B)
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.
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.