NHS Pension Calculator
Planning for retirement? Our NHS Pension Calculator uses official NHS Pension scheme formulas and 2025/26 contribution rates to estimate your retirement benefits. Calculate your annual pension, lump sum entitlement, and total contributions based on your salary, scheme type, and service years.
Understanding NHS Pension Schemes
The NHS offers different pension schemes depending on when you joined and your employment status. Understanding which scheme you're in is crucial for planning your retirement.
1995 Section
Final salary scheme for members who joined before April 2008.
- • 1/80th accrual rate
- • Automatic lump sum
- • Normal Pension Age: 60
2008 Section
Final salary scheme for members who joined between 2008-2015.
- • 1/60th accrual rate
- • No automatic lump sum
- • Normal Pension Age: 65
2015 CARE Scheme
Career Average Revalued Earnings scheme for new members from 2015.
- • 1/54th accrual rate
- • No automatic lump sum
- • Normal Pension Age: State Pension Age
McCloud Judgement Impact
The McCloud judgement affects members who were in service on 31 March 2012 and 1 April 2015. These members may be able to choose which scheme benefits apply for the period 2015-2022, potentially improving their pension benefits.
How to Use the NHS Pension Calculator
Our pension calculator provides estimates based on current pension scheme rules and your input data:
- Enter Your Annual Pensionable Pay: This is your current annual salary before deductions
- Select Your Pension Scheme: Choose the scheme you're currently in
- Enter Your Current Age: Used to calculate years until retirement
- Set Your Planned Retirement Age: When you plan to retire (consider Normal Pension Age)
- Calculate: Get your estimated annual pension and lump sum
Important: This calculator provides estimates only. Your actual pension will depend on your complete service history, final salary (for final salary schemes), and scheme rules at retirement.
Pension Contribution Rates
Your NHS pension contributions are calculated as a percentage of your pensionable pay, based on which salary tier you fall into:
| Annual Pensionable Pay | Contribution Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to £15,431.99 | 5.0% |
| £15,432.00 to £21,477.99 | 5.6% |
| £21,478.00 to £26,823.99 | 6.8% |
| £26,824.00 to £47,845.99 | 8.5% |
| £47,846.00 to £70,630.99 | 10.3% |
| £70,631.00 to £111,376.99 | 12.5% |
| £111,377.00 and above | 14.5% |