Contributions
At a glance
You pay a contribution each month to be a member of the scheme. This will be deducted from your salary, so you will receive tax relief. Your employer also makes contributions.
You are in the
2015 scheme
What you pay
Your contributions
Your contribution is dependent on your actual pensionable earnings – which has a formal definition, but is similar to your pay. Find out what’s included in your pensionable earnings in the What are pensionable earnings? section.
| Tier | Actual pensionable earnings | Full member contribution rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | £37, 035 or less | 12.88% |
| 2 | More than £37,035 but less than £79,558 | 13.88% |
| 3 | £79,558 or more | 14.22% |
Contribution rates in the table are shown as at 1 April 2026.
Your actual pensionable earnings are reviewed every 1 April to see if you have moved to a different contribution tier. It is your earnings from the previous scheme year that are used to determine what your contribution rate will be.
NPCC Pension Podcast - Episode 5
You can find out more about your contributions in the 2015 scheme in the podcast episode.
Note: the contribution information has been updated since the time of filming and the latest information can be found on the website.
Example - New joiners
When you first join the police pension scheme, your contribution rate will be based on your starting salary. If you are part time, the actual annual pay is used. Your contribution tier is then reviewed each April.
Salary
£31,164
Contribution rate
12.88%
Amount of pension contribution (before tax relief) per year
£4,013.92
Amount paid by the member (after basic rate tax relief) per year
£3,211.14
Contributions when on unpaid leave
If you are on unpaid leave, you have the option to continue to contribute to the scheme and build up benefits. You can find out more in the life events section of this website.
Contributions cost less
Tax relief
In most circumstances, your employer will take your pension contribution through Pay As You Earn (PAYE), this means you will get automatic tax relief. This is because your pension payments are taken from your salary before tax is applied.
If you choose to make a personal contribution to the scheme i.e. pay from your bank account, rather than through PAYE, the contribution will automatically get basic rate tax relief.
If you are a higher, or additional rate tax payer (eg pay tax at over 20% on some of your earnings) you will need to claim the additional tax either through your tax return or by contacting HMRC. You can find out more on the government website.
Funding benefits
Employer contributions
Your employer also makes contributions to the scheme. Although they aren’t directly added to a member’s pension ‘pot’ they are paid to ensure that there is enough money to pay all member’s benefits when they retire.
Calculating employer contributions
The current employer contribution rate is 35.3%.
For example, for a member earning £39,432, their employer would pay:
The contribution rates to the scheme are reviewed at least every four years ,or when the scheme goes through an actuarial valuation, to ensure that they are enough to cover the benefits.