NHS Pension 2015 Section (CARE) Calculator
Calculate your NHS 2015 Section CARE pension. Builds 1/54 of pensionable pay each year, revalued annually by CPI. Normal pension age matches State Pension age.
NHS 2015 Section CARE Pension Calculator
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NHS 2015 Section?
The NHS 2015 Section is a Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) pension scheme for all NHS employees joining after April 2015. It replaced the 1995 and 2008 Sections for new joiners.
How does the CARE accrual work?
Each year you earn 1/54 (1.85%) of your pensionable pay as pension. The accumulated pension is revalued annually by CPI + 1.5% to maintain its real value.
What is the Normal Pension Age for the 2015 Section?
Your State Pension Age (currently 67 for most people). You can take benefits earlier with actuarial reduction, or defer for a higher pension.
Is there an automatic lump sum in the 2015 Section?
No — unlike the 1995 Section, there is no automatic lump sum. You can commute (give up) pension to get a lump sum at a rate of £12 lump sum per £1 of annual pension given up.
What is the McCloud remedy and how does it affect 2015 Section members?
The McCloud remedy ensures that members who were in service on both 31 March 2012 and 1 April 2015 get the better of their 1995/2008 Section benefits and 2015 Section benefits at retirement. NHS Pensions is implementing deferred choice underpin (DCU).
Does the 2015 Section benefit from the annual allowance exemption?
No specific exemption, but the pension input amount (the growth in defined benefit pension value) is measured and compared against the £60,000 annual allowance.
Can I take partial retirement under the 2015 Section?
Yes — if you reduce your hours/pay by at least 10%, you can draw some of your pension while continuing to work, subject to conditions.
What happens to my 2015 Section pension if I leave the NHS?
You have deferred benefits. Your accumulated pension is preserved and revalued by CPI until you claim it from Normal Pension Age, or transfer to another scheme.
What contribution rate do I pay into the 2015 Section?
Tiered by pensionable pay from 5.1% to 13.5% (2024/25). Employer contributions are approximately 20.68%.
Can I combine 1995 Section and 2015 Section benefits?
Yes — many longer-serving NHS staff have benefits in both sections. At retirement, you can take both sets of benefits, potentially at different normal pension ages.
Is there a pension tax charge risk for high earners?
Yes — for very high earners or those with rapid salary growth, the annual allowance charge can be significant. NHS introduced the 'scheme pays' option to pay the tax charge from pension benefits.
How do I get a pension estimate from NHS Pensions?
Log into NHS Total Reward Statement at totalrewardstatements.nhs.uk to see your accrued benefits, or request a formal projection from NHS Pensions (nhsbsa.nhs.uk).