NHS Pension Calculator

Free UK Calculator

NHS Pension Calculator UK

Calculate your NHS pension entitlement for CARE and Final Salary schemes.

Free, accurate calculator with no signup required.

NHS Pension Entitlement Calculator

Enter your details to calculate your NHS pension entitlement. This calculator supports both CARE (2015+) and Final Salary (pre-2015) schemes:

Enter Your Details

£

Maximum 40 years counts

1/49th CARE or 1/80th Final Salary

Can access from age 55+

Annual Pension

£14,285.71

Based on service years

Monthly Pension

£1,190.48

per month

Tax-Free Lump Sum

£42,857.14

Usually 3x annual pension

Years Counted

20

of 20 service years

✓ You can access your NHS pension from age 55 without penalty

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on standard NHS pension rules. It does not constitute professional financial advice. For official pension entitlement information, contact NHS Pensions directly. Pension rules and benefits may change.

About NHS Pensions

CARE Scheme (2015+)

Accrual Rate: 1/49th of Career Average Revalued Earnings

Eligibility: All NHS staff joining from April 2015

Early Access: From age 55 (normally)

Indexation: Pension increases in line with inflation

Final Salary Scheme (pre-2015)

Accrual Rate: 1/80th of final salary

Eligibility: Staff with service before April 2015

Early Access: From age 55 (with reduction)

Indexation: Pension increases in line with inflation

Lump Sum Benefits

Tax-Free Lump Sum: Usually 3 times your annual pension

Payment: Paid as a one-off on retirement

Eligibility: Available to all members

Survivor Benefits

Spouse/Partner: Usually 50% of your pension

Children: Usually 25% per child (shared)

Lump Sum: May be payable on death in service

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take my NHS pension early?
You can normally access your NHS pension from age 55. If you retire before 55, your pension is usually reduced by approximately 5% for each year before 55. After 55, you can normally access without penalty.
What's the difference between CARE and Final Salary?
Final Salary (pre-2015) is based on your salary in your final year of service at 1/80th. CARE (2015+) is based on your average salary throughout your career at 1/49th. CARE is generally more generous in terms of accrual rate but is career-average rather than final salary.
Do I get a lump sum with my NHS pension?
Yes, you can normally take a tax-free lump sum of 3 times your annual pension when you retire. This is paid as a one-off payment and is completely tax-free.
How many years of service do I need?
There's no minimum service requirement to have a pension entitlement, but you typically need at least 2 years of service to have a preserved pension. Your pension grows for each year of service, up to a maximum of 40 years.
Is my NHS pension taxable?
Yes, your NHS pension is subject to income tax but not National Insurance contributions once in payment. The lump sum is completely tax-free.