NHS workers account for third of pension annual allowance breaches

HMRC data

Jenna Brown
clock • 2 min read

NHS workers account for more than a third of all pension annual allowance breaches, according to analysis of HM Revenue & Customers (HMRC) data.

Analysis by Quilter found at least 34% of all people who exceeded the annual allowance (AA) in 2019/2020 were members of the NHS pension scheme. HMRC data showed that 42,350 taxpayers reported pension contributions exceeding their AA through self-assessment. The total value of contributions reported as exceeding the AA was £949m in tax year 2019/20, which increased from £819m in 2018/19. According to a Freedom of Information request (FOI) to the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) by Quilter, some 14,242 NHS pension scheme members used the NHS scheme pays facility in respect of a...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Pensions

Do clients already own the best retirement portfolio?

Do clients already own the best retirement portfolio?

'Feeling safer and being safer aren't the same thing'

Alex Funk
clock 29 October 2026 • 4 min read
Budget 26: Government to get rid of two-year tax rule on lump sum death benefits

Budget 26: Government to get rid of two-year tax rule on lump sum death benefits

Changes will also be made to how tax due on excess lump sum death benefits is collected

Jonathan Stapleton
clock 28 October 2026 • 1 min read
Budget 26: State pensioners to be shielded from income tax

Budget 26: State pensioners to be shielded from income tax

State pension expected to rise to £13,036

Sophia Panayi
clock 28 October 2026 • 2 min read