All members of the NHS Pension Scheme pay a percentage of their pensionable pay to the scheme each month, known as a contribution rate.
From 1 October 2022, the amount you pay for your pension has changed. On this page you can find more information on your current contribution rate and what the changes from 1 October 2022 meant for you.
You can also watch our video.
You can read the transcript for our NHS Pension member contributions video (Word: 275KB).
Your contributions from 1 October 2022
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) announced it is introducing changes to the amount members pay towards their NHS pension.
The DHSC has updated the pensionable pay ranges used to decide how much you contribute to your pension, and the percentage of your pay you’ll pay to be a member of the Scheme.
The amount you pay is now based on your actual annual rate of pay, instead of your whole-time equivalent. This means if you’re part-time, you may pay less as your contribution rate will be based on how much you’re paid each year. Previously it was based on how much you would earn if you worked full time.
The changes help to reduce the gap between the different tiers of contribution rates.
To give members time to adjust the DHSC is phasing in the new contribution rates in two stages, starting on 1 October 2022 with further changes planned for a future date.
Since the changes on 1 October 2022, the pensionable pay tier thresholds have been amended to reflect the Agenda for Change pay increase from April 2023 in England. The uplifted tiers were implemented retrospectively and backdated to 1 April 2023:
| Pensionable salary range from 1 April 2023: | Current contribution rates from 1 April 2023: | Future planned contribution rates (based on actual annual pensionable pay): |
| Up to £13,246 | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| £13,247 to £17,673 | 5.7% | 6.5% |
| £17,674 to £24,022 | 6.1% | 6.5% |
| £24,023 to £25,146 | 6.8% | 6.5% |
| £25,147 to £29,635 | 7.7% | 8.3% |
| £29,636 to £30,638 | 8.8% | 8.3% |
| £30,639 to £45,996 | 9.8% | 9.8% |
| £45,997 to £51,708 | 10% | 10.7% |
| £51,709 to £58,972 | 11.6% | 10.7% |
| £58,973 to £75,632 | 12.5% | 12.5% |
| £75,636 and above | 13.5% | 12.5% |
These salary ranges will change each year in line with any annual increase to Agenda for Change pay scales. The means you will be less likely to move into a higher contribution tier and receive a reduction in your take home pay as a result of a national pay award.
The previous contribution rates from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023 were:
| Pensionable salary range from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023: | Contribution rates from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023: | Future planned contribution rates (based on actual annual pensionable pay): |
| Up to £13,246 | 5.1% | 5.2% |
| £13,247 to £16,831 | 5.7% | 6.5% |
| £16,832 to £22,878 | 6.1% | 6.5% |
| £22,879 to £23,948 | 6.8% | 6.5% |
| £23,949 to £28,223 | 7.7% | 8.3% |
| £28,224 to £29,179 | 8.8% | 8.3% |
| £29,180 to £43,805 | 9.8% | 9.8% |
| £43,806 to £49,245 | 10% | 10.7% |
| £49,246 to £56,163 | 11.6% | 10.7% |
| £56,164 to £72,030 | 12.5% | 12.5% |
| £72,031 and above | 13.5% | 12.5% |
If you're a practitioner or non-GP provider
If you’re a practitioner, you already pay contributions based on your total annual practitioner pensionable pay. This hasn't changed, but now all members are members of the 2015 Scheme your practitioner pay may be annualised and the updated salary ranges will apply to you.
If you also work in an officer post, for example as a salaried hospital doctor, your contribution rates are calculated separately and may be different for your officer and practitioner pensionable pay.
If you're a non-GP provider, you already pay contributions on your profits from one contract. This hasn't changed, but as a member of the 2015 Scheme your profits may be annualised and the updated salary ranges will apply to you.
You can find out more about annualising pay on our Information for practitioners and non-GP providers webpage.
Understanding what the changes mean for you
The NHS Pension Scheme remains one of the best ways to save towards retirement, and you can find more information on the benefits of the Scheme on our Understanding your benefits in the 2015 Scheme webpage.
We previously wrote to all members to explain the changes. Read a copy of our member contributions letter for active members (PDF: 245KB)
Find out more about the government's consultation on member contributions:
View past factsheets about the cost of being in the Scheme and how pensionable pay is calculated:
Cost and contributions from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2021 (officer) (PDF: 266KB)Cost and contributions from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2021 (practitioner) (PDF: 257KB)