You may be eligible to join the NHS Pension Scheme if you're an employee between the ages of 16 and 75.
This also applies to those working under a contract for services, including:
- general practitioners (GPs)
- general dental practitioners
- ophthalmic medical practitioners
If you're on a work visa you can access the NHS Pension Scheme whilst working for the NHS, or other employer who offers access to the Scheme.
The employees on a work visa factsheet (Word: 197KB) provides an overview of key sections of the NHS Pension Scheme. For a full overview, read your relevant scheme guide in the Member Guides panel.
How our pension works
If you are eligible when you start work, your employer or Pensions Officer will enrol you as a member of the Scheme.
Pension contributions will come out of your salary (or income). You'll see this on your payslip.
Your employer will email you a copy of the relevant Member Guide to help you understand the Scheme rules.
When you join, you are allocated a membership number, also known as an SD number. You can ask your employer for this.
Watch this video to understand the important benefits of being a member of the Scheme such as:
- employer contributions
- family benefits
- ill health benefits
- ways to increase your pension
- flexibilities about when you can take your pension
Download the video transcript (PDF: 98KB).
Rejoining the Scheme
If you are in NHS employment, you may rejoin the Scheme if you meet the eligibility conditions.
You may also rejoin the Scheme if you are taking your NHS Pension and have returned to NHS employment.
The maximum age for joining or rejoining the Scheme is 75.
All members joining or rejoining the Scheme from 1 April 2023 will build up pension benefits in the 2015 Scheme.
This also applies to those working under a contract for services, including:
- general practitioners (GPs)
- general dental practitioners
- ophthalmic medical practitioners