What to know before you decide
The 2026/27 annual allowance: two income tests
The standard annual allowance is £60,000. Taper can apply when threshold income exceeds £200,000 and adjusted income exceeds £260,000. The allowance reduces by £1 for every £2 of adjusted income above £260,000, down to a £10,000 minimum at £360,000. These definitions include specific adjustments; earning more than £200,000 does not by itself prove a charge. Carry-forward and other applicable allowances must also be checked.
NHS Pension Tax & Annual Allowance for Doctors & Healthcare ProfessionalsDefined-benefit growth is not your contribution total
For an NHS defined-benefit pension, the pension input amount is based on the calculated growth in benefits, not simply your payslip deductions. Other pension schemes may also count towards the annual allowance. Compare statements, service changes and relevant remedy information before concluding that a charge is due. Scheme Pays can fund an eligible charge through a reduction in future benefits; it is not a tax waiver or automatically the best option.