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NHS pension calculator

Estimate the annual pension you could build up in the NHS Pension Scheme 2015 Scheme, with a career average (CARE) calculation. This is an estimate based on the assumptions you choose, not a promise. Your annual benefit statement is the source of truth.

Rules last checked 13 October 2026.

This calculator covers the 2015 Scheme only. If you have older membership, you may also have benefits in the 1995 or 2008 sections, which work differently. Check your annual benefit statement. The contribution rates used are the NHS Employers tiers for England.
£a year

Your actual pensionable pay in a scheme year. NHS Business Services Authority says pensionable pay includes salary, wages and fees, and excludes bonuses, expense payments, overtime beyond full-time equivalent hours and non-consolidated pay awards.

years

From now until you retire or leave.

%
%

Your pension is revalued each year by a rate set by HM Treasury plus 1.5%. With a 2% Treasury rate, revaluation is 3.5%. These are example values, not predictions.

£a year

Use the figure from your annual benefit statement. This calculator assumes it is the amount at the start of the first year you model.

£a year

You get £12 of lump sum for every £1 of annual pension you give up. This cannot be more than your total pension.

Uses the Treasury order rate you entered as the rate of price rises.

Enter your pensionable pay and the years you will keep building pension to see an estimate.

Nothing you enter leaves your device. This is an estimate, not financial advice. Your annual benefit statement from NHS Pensions shows your actual benefits.

How the NHS 2015 Scheme pension is worked out

The 2015 Scheme is a career average revalued earnings (CARE) scheme. Each year you build up pension equal to 1/54th of your actual pensionable pay in that scheme year. Each year's pension is revalued each following year using a rate set by HM Treasury plus 1.5% (NHS Business Services Authority describes this as CPI plus 1.5%). Your final pension is the total of the revalued amounts from every year of membership.

For example, £18,000 of pensionable pay in a year earns about £333 of pension for that year.

What counts as pensionable pay

For employed members, salary, wages and fees are included. Bonuses, expense payments, overtime beyond full-time equivalent hours and non-consolidated pay awards are excluded. For GPs and general dental practitioners, pensionable earnings follow their certificate of pensionable income or annual reconciliation report, and non-NHS income is excluded.

When you can retire

Normal pension age in the 2015 Scheme is the same as your State Pension age, or 65 if that is later. You can check your State Pension age on GOV.UK.

Early retirement is available from the minimum pension age (currently 55) before normal pension age, with two years' membership and no NHS employment. The pension is reduced because it is paid early and for longer. Benefits taken one month or more after normal pension age are increased. You can keep building benefits while working. The adjustment factors are on the NHS Pensions website. This calculator does not apply them.

Tax-free lump sum

There is no automatic lump sum in the 2015 Scheme. You can choose to exchange part of your pension for a lump sum, and you get £12 of lump sum for every £1 of annual pension you give up.

The tax-free lump sum is capped at 25% of the capital value, which NHS Business Services Authority describes as your pension multiplied by 20, plus any lump sum. HMRC limits also apply. This calculator does not check these limits.

Your contributions

Member contribution rates for 2026/27, effective from 1 April 2026 and based on actual annual pensionable pay (NHS Employers, England):

Your contributions
Actual annual pensionable payContribution rate
Up to £13,2595.2%
£13,260 to £28,8546.5%
£28,855 to £35,1558.3%
£35,156 to £52,7789.8%
£52,779 to £67,66810.7%
£67,669 and above12.5%

Contributions come out of pay before tax, so you get tax relief, and employers pay the rest of the cost. See what your pension contribution does to your pay with the NHS take-home pay calculator.

Older NHS pension sections

The 1995 Section has a normal pension age of 60 and normally pays an automatic lump sum of 3 times the pension, which you can exchange for a larger one. The 2008 Section has a normal pension age of 65. This calculator does not cover them. Check your annual benefit statement.

What this calculator does not include

  • The 1995 and 2008 sections.
  • Early and late retirement adjustments.
  • Lump sum limit checks.
  • Tax on the pension.
  • Death benefits.
  • Scottish, Northern Irish or other scheme rules.
  • Pension inflation increases after retirement.
  • The Annual Allowance or other tax limits.

Have a private pension too? Try the pension drawdown calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How is an NHS pension calculated in the 2015 Scheme?

The 2015 Scheme is a career average revalued earnings scheme. Each year you build up pension equal to 1/54th of your actual pensionable pay in that scheme year. Each year's pension is then revalued, and your final pension is the total of the revalued amounts from each year of membership.

How is the NHS pension revalued?

Each year's pension is revalued each following year using a rate set by HM Treasury plus 1.5%. NHS Business Services Authority describes this as CPI plus 1.5%. The revaluation rate can be negative.

What is the normal pension age in the NHS 2015 Scheme?

It is the same as your State Pension age, or age 65 if that is later. You can check your State Pension age on GOV.UK.

Is there an automatic lump sum in the 2015 Scheme?

No. You can choose to exchange part of your pension for a lump sum. You receive £12 of lump sum for every £1 of pension you give up. The tax-free lump sum is capped at 25% of the capital value, and HMRC limits also apply.

What counts as pensionable pay?

For employed members, salary, wages and fees count. Bonuses, expense payments, overtime beyond full-time equivalent hours and non-consolidated pay awards do not.

How much do I pay into the NHS pension?

Your contribution rate depends on your pensionable pay. From 1 April 2026 the rates run from 5.2% for pay up to £13,259 to 12.5% for pay of £67,669 and above, based on actual annual pensionable pay. Contributions come out of your pay before tax, so you get tax relief.

Does this calculator cover the 1995 and 2008 sections?

No. It covers the 2015 Scheme only. If you have older membership, check your annual benefit statement, because those sections work differently.

Can I retire early from the NHS Pension Scheme?

You can take an early retirement pension from the minimum pension age, currently 55, before your normal pension age, with two years' membership and no NHS employment. The pension is reduced because it is paid earlier and for longer. The reduction factors are on the NHS Pensions website.

Sources

Rules checked against these official pages on 13 October 2026:

Read how we keep calculators accurate, or browse all UK calculators.

PayPrompt is independent and is not affiliated with the NHS.

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