Article

Comparing the different sections of the NHS Pension Scheme

Help scheme members to understand the three parts of the NHS Pension Scheme and the different rules that apply to each.

5 June 2024

The NHS Pension Scheme is made up of three parts, each with their own rules:

  • 1995 Section
  • 2008 Section
  • 2015 Scheme. 

Many employees will have been members of more than one part of the NHS Pension Scheme over their career. Members can choose to take their pension from different sections of the scheme at different times, according to the retirement age rules for each scheme. 

As part of the McCloud remedy, the 1995 and 2008 sections closed on 31 March 2022, and since 1 April 2022 all active members contribute to the 2015 Scheme. Members that have already built up pension in the 1995 and 2008 sections can still access this after 1 April 2022 in line with the existing rules for each section. 

The move to the 2015 Scheme means that more members are likely to have pension across multiple parts of the scheme. This web page compares the different rules for the 1995 Section, 2008 Section and the 2015 Scheme. Employers can use this information to support staff to understand each part of the scheme, and make informed decisions about their retirement. 

NHS Pension Scheme members can use their Total Reward Statement (TRS) to find out which parts of the scheme they are in. Further information on membership is available on the NHS Business Services Authority member hub

When can members take their pension?

Pension from different schemes or sections can be claimed at different times, according to the retirement age rules for each scheme. Pension can also be taken from sections whilst still continuing to contribute to others. For example, a member could take their 2008 pension and still continue to contribute to the 2015 Scheme. 

  • 1995 Section

    • Members can take their pension any time between the ages of 55-75, with some members able to take their pension from age 50. 
    • Pension will be reduced if it is taken before the age of 60. Members with special class status or mental health officer status can take their pension without it being reduced from age 55. 
    • Members can continue to work beyond age 60 without claiming their pension. If members choose to do this, any additional years' service will contribute towards growing their pension. 
    • If pension is taken after age 60, it will not be further increased for late payment (late retirement factors).

    2008 Section

    • Members can take their pension at any time between the ages of 55-75.
    • Pension will be reduced if it is taken before the age of 65. 
    • Members can continue to work beyond age 65 without claiming their pension. If members choose to do this, any additional years’ service will contribute towards growing their pension.
    • If pension is taken after age 65, it will be further increased for late payment (late retirement factors).

    2015 Scheme

    • Members can take their pension at any time between the ages of 55-75.
    • Pension will be reduced if it is taken before state pension age.
    • Members can continue to work past state pension age without claiming their pension. If members choose to do this, any additional years’ service will contribute towards growing their pension.
    • If pension is taken after state pension age, it will be further increased for late payment (late retirement factors).

How much pension will members receive in retirement?

Each part of the scheme uses a different calculation to determine annual pension in retirement. A key difference between each section is the accrual rate, which is the proportion of salary that will be received as pension.

Watch our videos for more information on pension calculations.

  • 1995 Section

    A member's pension is calculated using:

    • SalaryThe highest pensionable earnings in a single year, taken from the last three years of their service. 
    • ServiceThe number of years of membership built up in the scheme. (Members who have worked part time will have built up fewer years of service. For example, an individual working 50 per cent of standard full-time hours for 20 years will have 10 years’ service counting towards their pension calculation.)
    • Accrual rate - The rate at which pension builds up in the 1995 section is 1/80.

    Annual pension from the 1995 section is calculated using the following equation: 

    Salary x Service x Accrual rate = Annual pension in retirement

    2008 Section

    A member's pension is calculated using:

    • Salary The average of the three consecutive years with the highest pensionable earnings, taken from the last ten years of their service.
    • Service The number of years of membership built up in the scheme. (Members who have worked part time will have built up fewer years of service. For example, an individual working 50 per cent of standard full-time hours for 20 years will have 10 years’ service counting towards their pension calculation.)
    • Accrual rateThe rate at which pension builds up in the 2008 section is 1/60.

    Annual pension from the 2008 section is calculated using the following equation:

    Salary x Service x Accrual rate = Annual pension in retirement

    2015 Scheme

    The amount of annual pension from the 2015 Scheme is worked out for each year individually and built up over a career. This process is shown in the following three steps:

    1. The pension built up over each year is calculated: 

    Salary x Accrual rate = Pension built up over one year

    • Salary Pensionable earnings from a single year.
    • Accrual rate The rate at which pension builds up in the 2015 Scheme is 1/54.

    2. The pension from all previous years is increased and added in to show the pension built up over the member’s career so far: 

    Pension built up in one year x Increased pension from previous years = Pension built up over career so far

    • Increased pension from previous years All pension built up over previous years, increased by CPI + 1.5%.

    3. This process is repeated for each year of service up until retirement.

Are members eligible for tax-free cash?

At retirement, members may be able to exchange a percentage of their pension for a tax-free lump sum.

  • 1995 Section

    • At retirement, members automatically receive a tax-free lump sum equivalent to three times their annual pension.
    • Members also have the option to exchange part of their pension for more cash, up to a maximum of 25 per cent of the total value of their pension.

    2008 Section

    • At retirement, members have the option to take a tax-free lump sum by exchanging part of their pension for cash, up to a maximum of 25 per cent of the total value of their pension.

    2015 Scheme

    • At retirement, members have the option to take a tax-free lump sum by exchanging part of their pension for cash, up to a maximum of 25 per cent of the total value of their pension.

What retirement options are available? 

Flexible retirement allows members and their organisation to be flexible about:  

  • the age at which they retire  
  • the length of time to transition from flexible to full retirement
  • the nature and pattern of work in the lead up to full retirement. 

The flexible retirement options available to individuals will depend on which section of the scheme they are a member of. Please see our poster and web page for further details.

What happens if a member becomes too ill to work at any point during their NHS career?

There are two tiers of ill health retirement and a member’s pension will depend on the type of employment they can undertake.

  • 1995 Section

    • If members are too ill to do their current NHS job, they will receive the pension they have already built up without reduction for taking it early (tier 1).
    • In addition, if members are too ill to work in any other regular employment, they will receive an enhancement of two-thirds of the service they would have achieved had they worked up to age 60 (tier 2).

    2008 Section

    • If members are too ill to do their current NHS job, they will receive the pension they have already built up without reduction for taking it early (tier 1).
    • In addition, if members are too ill to work in any other regular employment, they will receive an enhancement of two-thirds of the service they would have achieved had they worked up to age 65 (tier 2).

    2015 Scheme

    • If members are too ill to do their current NHS job, they will receive the pension they have already built up without reduction for taking it early (tier 1).
    • In addition, if members are too ill to work in any other regular employment, they will receive an enhancement of half of the service they would have achieved had they worked up to state pension age (tier 2).

What is paid to a member’s family if they pass away while contributing to the NHS Pension Scheme?  

Please note that different amounts would be payable if death occurs after leaving the scheme or after taking pension. Read the death in service guide for more details.

  • 1995 Section – active members

    • Those nominated by the member are entitled to death in service benefits including:
      • a lump sum of two times the member’s annual pensionable pay
      • a portion of the member’s pension payable to a spouse/partner for the rest of their life
      • a pension payable to dependent children.
    • From 1 April 2022, all active members will be contributing to the 2015 Scheme and no death in service benefits will be paid from the 1995 section. Instead, the 2015 Scheme death in service benefits will apply.

    2008 Section – active members

    • Those nominated by the member are entitled to death in service benefits including:
      • a lump sum of two times the member’s reckonable pay
      • a portion of the member’s pension payable to a spouse/partner for the rest of their life
      • a pension payable to dependent children.
    • From 1 April 2022, all active members will be contributing to the 2015 Scheme and no death in service benefits will be paid from the 2008 section. Instead, the 2015 Scheme death in service benefits will apply.

    2015 Scheme – active members

    • Those nominated by the member are entitled to death in service benefits including:
      • a lump sum of two times the member’s relevant earnings (read the death in service guide for more details).
      • a portion of the member’s pension payable to a spouse/partner for the rest of their life
      • a pension payable to dependent children.