Contribution rates
How much your pension costs depends upon how much you are paid. Contributions are deducted on the pay that you actually earn. The contribution rates and pay bands are reviewed regularly and may change in the future.
Pension contribution pay bands from 1st April 2024
| If Your Actual Pay is | You pay a contribution of | 50/50 Section contribution rate |
| Up to £17,600 | 5.50% | 2.75% |
| £17,601 to £27,600 | 5.80% | 2.90% |
| £27,601 to £44,900 | 6.50% | 3.25% |
| £44,901 to £56,800 | 6.80% | 3.40% |
| £56,801 to £79,700 | 8.50% | 4.25% |
| £79,701 to £112,900 | 9.90% | 4.95% |
| £112,901 to £133,100 | 10.50% | 5.25% |
| £133,101 to £199,700 | 11.40% | 5.70% |
| £199,701 or more | 12.50% | 6.25% |
Pension contribution pay bands from 1st April 2023
| If Your Actual Pay is | You pay a contribution of | 50/50 Section contribution rate |
| Up to £16,500 | 5.50% | 2.75% |
| £16,501 to £25,900 | 5.80% | 2.90% |
| £25,901 to £42,100 | 6.50% | 3.25% |
| £42,101 to £53,300 | 6.80% | 3.40% |
| £53,301 to £74,700 | 8.50% | 4.25% |
| £74,701 to £105,900 | 9.90% | 4.95% |
| £105,901 to £124,800 | 10.50% | 5.25% |
| £124,801 to £187,200 | 11.40% | 5.70% |
| £187,201 or more | 12.50% | 6.25% |
In many cases, the real cost is a lot less than the amount shown on your payslip. This is because your contributions are taken out before you pay tax, therefore you receive tax relief.
Your employer will also make a contribution towards your pension.
The cost to your employer goes up or down. This is set by a professional expert called an actuary and is based on ensuring the fund can cover the cost of benefits it will have to pay out.
Note that even if your employer’s contribution goes up or down, your own contribution percentage will stay the same.
The video below provides more information on how much you pay and how you can increase or decrease your payments.
You can also use the contributions’ calculator to work out the percentage you will pay and the cost to you each pay period, before and after tax relief. You can also show the cost if you were to move to the 50/50 section of the LGPS.