Use this nhs pension calculator to estimate the pension you will get from the NHS Pension Scheme. Enter your age, pensionable pay and any pension already built up, and it projects your yearly pension at retirement in today’s money, with the maximum tax-free lump sum.
Your estimated pension
- Pension a year
- –
- A month (before tax)
- –
- From future service
- –
- Maximum lump sum
- –
| Pay | Pension built up |
|---|
In the example, someone aged 35 earning £40,000 who stays in the scheme until 67 builds up a pension of about £30,139 a year in today’s money, or £2,512 a month before tax.
How to use the nhs pension calculator
- Enter your age and the age you plan to take your pension.
- Enter your pensionable pay. If you work part time, use your actual pay.
- Add the pension you have already built up in this section of the scheme, from your annual benefit statement.
- Set pay rises above inflation, for example 0.5% to 1% for incremental pay progression.
How the NHS Pension Scheme works
Since 1 April 2022, all active members build up pension in the 2015 Scheme, a career average scheme. Each year you earn 1/54 of your pensionable pay as pension. While you are still working, that pension is increased each April by inflation (CPI) plus 1.5%, so it grows in real terms.
Your Normal Pension Age is your State Pension age, or 65 if later. You can take your pension earlier with a reduction for early payment, or later with an increase.
NHS pension contributions
The NHS pension calculator does not deduct contributions, because they do not change the pension you build. Members pay tiered contributions based on their actual pensionable pay, from 5.2% to 12.5%. Contributions come off before Income Tax, so a basic rate taxpayer gets 20% relief straight away. Employers pay a much larger contribution on top.
Older NHS sections
If you were in the 1995 or 2008 Section before April 2015 or April 2022, you have final salary benefits too, and because of the McCloud remedy you may choose between legacy and 2015 benefits for 2015 to 2022. Enter only 2015 Scheme pension as “already built up”, and add your legacy benefits from your statement.
NHS Pension Scheme pension examples
| Pensionable pay | 10 years | 20 years | 30 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| £25,000 | £4,955 | £10,705 | £17,379 |
| £35,000 | £6,937 | £14,988 | £24,331 |
| £45,000 | £8,919 | £19,270 | £31,282 |
| £60,000 | £11,892 | £25,693 | £41,710 |
The nhs pension calculator keeps everything in today’s money so you can compare the result with your current pay and living costs. Run the nhs pension calculator again after each annual benefit statement to keep your plan up to date.
Lump sum options
You can usually give up some pension for a tax-free lump sum, at £12 of lump sum for every £1 a year of pension given up. The most you can take is roughly 4.3 times your yearly pension. In the example, that is about £129,169, leaving a pension of £19,375 a year.
Related pension calculators
Check when your State Pension starts with the state pension age calculator, and see the tax on your pension income with the pension tax calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much NHS pension will I get after 30 years?
On £40,000 of pay, about £27,806 a year in today’s money, because of the CPI + 1.5% revaluation.
Can I retire early on an NHS pension?
Yes, from 55 (57 from April 2028), with a reduction for each year before your Normal Pension Age. You can buy out some of the reduction with Early Retirement Reduction Buy Out.
Is the NHS pension taxed?
Yes. It is taxed as income when paid, but there is no National Insurance on it.
Where do I find my NHS pension statement?
Through the Total Reward Statement or My NHS Pension portal on the NHSBSA website.
About this calculator
This nhs pension calculator uses the scheme rules published by NHS Business Services Authority, checked on 9 November 2026. It shows figures in today’s money and does not include earlier final salary sections, added pension or survivor benefits. Your annual benefit statement and the official scheme calculator give exact figures.