July 18, 2025

NHS Pension Negative Amounts: What They Mean

Have you seen a minus sign or brackets around numbers on your NHS pension statement? These negative amounts can look worrying at first. But they might actually help reduce your tax bill. If you work in the NHS and have received your Remedial Pension Savings Statement, you need to understand what these figures mean. This guide explains the current rules in simple terms.
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What Are Negative Pension Input Amounts?

A negative pension input amount means your pension savings went down in the 1995/2008 scheme during that tax year. This can happen due to:

  • Changes in your pension benefits
  • Salary adjustments
  • Inflation factors
  • Scheme rule changes

These amounts show up in two ways on your statement:

  • With brackets: £(20,000.00)
  • With a minus sign: -£20,000.00

Both mean the same thing - your pension value decreased.

From 2023/24 onwards, the rules changed

Before 2023/24, HMRC treated all negative amounts as zero. This meant they had no effect on your tax position.

Now you can use negative amounts from your 1995/2008 scheme to reduce positive amounts in your 2015 scheme. This only happens within the same tax year.

This change helps many NHS workers stay under their annual allowance limit for Pension Input.

Your Annual Allowance in 2025/26

The annual pension allowance for 2025/26 remains £60,000 for most people. This is the most you can save in pensions each year before paying extra tax.

High Earner Taper: If your adjusted income is over £260,000, your annual pension allowance may be reduced. It reduces by £1 for every £2 you earn above this limit, down to a minimum of £10,000.

How to Calculate Your Total Pension Input

Follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Add Your Amounts Together
  • Take your 1995/2008 scheme amount (this might be negative)
  • Add your 2015 scheme amount
  • This gives your net NHS pension input
Step 2: Compare Against Your Allowance
  • If your total Pension Input is under £60,000 - no extra tax
  • If it's over £60,000 - you may pay tax on the excess

Real Examples

Example 1: No Tax Charge
  • 2015 scheme: £65,000
  • 1995/2008 scheme: -£10,000
  • Total: £55,000
  • Result: Under £60,000 limit, so no tax charge
Example 2: Possible Tax Charge
  • 2015 scheme: £85,000
  • 1995/2008 scheme: -£10,000
  • Total: £75,000
  • Result: Over £60,000 limit, so tax may apply on £15,000 excess

Using Previous Years' Allowances

You can carry forward unused annual allowances from the last three years. This can help cover any excess amounts.

Important: You cannot carry forward negative amounts. Only unused annual allowances from previous tax years can be used in the current tax year.

Current Issues to Be Aware Of

Statement Delays: NHSBSA is experiencing significant delays in sending out pension savings statements due to the McCloud remedy implementation. Some members haven't received statements for several years.

Statement Errors: NHSBSA has acknowledged errors on some 2023/24 Pension Savings Statements. If you think your statement is wrong, contact them directly.

Self Assessment Deadline: If you're expecting a delayed statement for 2023/24, HMRC allows you to use a provisional figure by the 31 January deadline. You won't face penalties if you calculate this figure to the best of your ability.

What You Should Do Now

Check Your Statements: Get statements from both your NHS pension schemes. Contact NHSBSA if you haven't received recent statements.

Calculate Your Total: Add together both pension input amounts (remember negative numbers reduce the total).

Compare to Your Allowance: See if your total is over £60,000 (or your reduced Pension input allowance if you're a high earner).

Consider Carry Forward: Check if you have unused allowances from previous years.

Get Professional Help: If your situation is complex, speak to a specialist financial adviser.

Important Reminders

  • These changes only apply from tax year 2023/24 onwards
  • Negative amounts only offset positive amounts in the same tax year
  • You cannot offset NHS negative amounts against other pension schemes
  • The annual allowance remains £60,000 for 2025/26
  • High earners may have a reduced allowance starting at £260,000 income
  • Statement delays are common due to ongoing system updates

Why This Matters

As an NHS worker, your pension is likely a key part of your retirement planning. These rule changes mean:

  • Better balance between your two pension schemes
  • Fairer tax calculations
  • Potentially lower tax charges
  • More flexibility in your pension planning

Understanding these changes can help you plan when to retire and maximise your pension benefits.

Getting Help

Understanding pension tax can be complex. The rules keep changing, and everyone's situation is different. If you're unsure about your pension tax position, it's worth getting professional advice.

A qualified financial adviser who specialises in medical professionals can help you:

  • Calculate your exact tax position
  • Plan for future years
  • Make the most of your pension allowances
  • Navigate current statement delays and errors
  • Understand how these changes affect your long-term plans

This article is for general information only and doesn't consider your individual needs or circumstances. For personalised advice about NHS pensions and financial planning tailored to medical professionals, speak to one of our qualified advisers.

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