Additional Pension is a flexible way of increasing your NHS pension.
You can choose to buy a set amount of annual pension.
You can pay by either:
- a lump sum payment
- regular contributions deducted from pay for an agreed period
You can buy Additional Pension at any time during the year as either:
- personal cover that increases your own pension benefits only
- dependants cover that increases your pension and the benefits payable to your spouse, partner or dependant children after your death
Additional Pension does not include an automatic lump sum. Although, you can include your Additional Pension in the total pension exchanged for a lump sum.
The cost of buying Additional Pension is the same whether you work full or part-time.
Before using the calculator, read the Additional Pension factsheet (PDF: 126KB) for more information.
How to apply
Our Additional Pension (AP) calculator provides you with a partly completed application form.
You should complete the remaining personal details, then pass the form to your employer or Pension Officer.
The calculator is currently not available for purchases over £6,500.
For purchases over £6,500, email nhsbsa.apavcreferrals@nhs.net with your National Insurance number or pension reference number (SD number) so we can provide relevant costs.
Information on additional voluntary contributions for additional pension or added years for 1995/2008 members
From 1 April 2022 all active members of the NHS Pension Scheme will be members of the 2015 Scheme.
If you currently pay additional voluntary contributions, your payments will continue after you move to the 2015 Scheme from 1 April 2022. You can still pay additional contributions until the end of the contract, the day before a 12-month break begins, or the day you retire – whichever date is earliest.
If you’re currently a 1995 Section member and your chosen birthday has passed or is less than 6 months before you moved to the 2015 Scheme, we’ll write to you within 3 months of 1 April 2022 to explain how you could elect to have your AVC benefits paid without having to retire. You’ll then have 3 months to tell us what you’d like to do. We’ll share more information on this webpage once we start writing to affected members.