


Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost?

How much it costs you depends on how much you are paid, but it will be between 5.5% and 11.2% of your pay.

Your rate will depend on the level of your pensionable pay.


If you work part time or term time your contribution rate will be based on your actual pay and you will only pay contributions on that actual pay.


Alex works full time and his pay is £30,000 a year, so he will pay 6.1% of £30,000.

This works out at £152 a month, but the real cost to him will be £120 after accounting for tax relief savings.

If he worked part time (half the hours) he would only pay 5.5% but only on his £15,000 pay.

What is my contribution rate?

Your contribution rate depends on how much you are paid, but it will be between 5.5% and 11.2% of your pensionable pay.



The table below is, in effect, a “lookup table” which breaks down the contribution rates into steps of 0.1% and allocates pay ranges to these steps to simplify the process of allocating contribution rates to members for payroll purposes. For members in the 50/50 section, divide the appropriate rate by two.


The pay band ranges are increased each April in line with the cost of living. Contribution rates will increase beyond 11.2% of pay for higher salaries, but SPPA were not asked to provide bands above 11.2%.

This table shows the total contribution rate for 2022/23 depending on your specific actual pay.

Contribution rate Actual Pay Min Actual Pay Max Contribution rate Actual Pay Min Actual Pay Max
5.50% Up to 23,676 8.40% 66,432 68,302
5.60% 23,677 25,156 8.50% 68,303 70,282
5.70% 25,157 26,833 8.60% 70,283 72,380
5.80% 26,834 28,443 8.70% 72,381 74,607
5.90% 28,444 29,558 8.80% 74,608 76,976
6.00% 29,559 30,765 8.90% 76,977 79,500
6.10% 30,766 32,074 9.00% 79,501 82,194
6.20% 32,075 33,500 9.10% 82,195 85,078
6.30% 33,501 35,058 9.20% 85,079 88,172
6.40% 35,059 36,768 9.30% 88,173 91,500
6.50% 36,769 38,635 9.40% 91,501 95,088
6.60% 38,636 39,991 9.50% 95,089 98,969
6.70% 39,992 41,445 9.60% 98,970 103,180
6.80% 41,446 43,009 9.70% 103,181 107,766
6.90% 43,010 44,696 9.80% 107,767 112,779
7.00% 44,697 46,520 9.90% 112,780 118,280
7.10% 46,521 48,500 10.00% 118,281 124,346
7.20% 48,501 50,655 10.10% 124,347 131,067
7.30% 50,656 52,145 10.20% 131,068 138,557
7.40% 52,146 53,291 10.30% 138,558 146,954
7.50% 53,292 54,488 10.40% 146,955 156,435
7.60% 54,489 55,741 10.50% 156,436 167,224
7.70% 55,742 57,052 10.60% 167,225 179,611
7.80% 57,053 58,427 10.70% 179,612 193,980
7.90% 58,428 59,870 10.80% 193,981 210,847
8.00% 59,871 61,386 10.90% 210,848 230,928
8.10% 61,387 62,980 11.00% 230,929 255,236
8.20% 62,981 64,660 11.10% 255,237 285,264
8.30% 64,661 66,431 11.20% 285,265

and above*

How can I increase my pension?

Under previous regulations there have been different ways to buy extra membership or pension. You may have one of these arrangements in place and this will be honoured. These previous options have now been closed and we can't accept any new applications. However, from 1st April 2015 there is a new means of buying extra pension and this is detailed below.

Buying extra pension

The maximum amount of additional pension you can buy is £7,075 (2022/23 rate). This figure will increase each year in line with the cost of living.


How much does it cost?

The cost to you will depend on a number of factors.

Here are some general examples:

Example 1




Example 2


She wants to pay for this over 10 years.





To find out more, please contact us

Paying Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs)



What happens when I retire?






What if I take a drop in pay?




What if I work part time or term time?





If she were a full time employee her pay would be £25,000 per year, with an employee contribution rate of 5.7%. As she only works half of this time her actual part time pay is £12,500 so this makes her contribution rate 5.5%.



What if I am absent from work?


  • Sick leave
  • Reserve Forces leave
  • Authorised leave of absence
  • Jury service


Can I transfer my benefits?

If you want to transfer benefits into the Scheme you should complete a 'Transfer Request' form. This can be found in the resources section.




Can I combine previous LGPS pension rights?


Can I reduce my contributions?






Contact us