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Additional Pension Contributions
You can pay additional pension contributions (APCs) to boost your pension at retirement or to cover lost pension due to authorised unpaid leave or industrial action.
Which APC is right for me? Click here to open flowchart
The maximum amount of additional pension you can buy is £8675 per year (2024/25 rates). This figure will increase each year in line with the cost of living.

Below are two calculators which will allow you to work out the cost of buying either additional pension or lost pension. If you are unsure about which calculator to use please use the flowchart on the right hand side of this page to help you.

 You can only use this calculator to buy lost pension if all of your period of absence was after 31st March 2015.

Buy Extra Pension

Why use the extra pension option?



Use this option if you want to boost your pension benefits at retirement. You must be in the main section of the Scheme to increase your benefits in this way. This option is not available if you are in the 50/50 section of the scheme.

You can choose to buy extra pension by spreading payment over a number of complete years (unless you are within 1 year of your Normal Pension Age) or by making a one-off payment. Your employer can choose to contribute towards the cost of the extra pension. If this is the case you must obtain written confirmation of the share that they have agreed to pay before making your application to buy APCs. You must undergo a medical, at your cost, to confirm you are in good health.

Buy Lost Pension

Why use the lost pension option?



If you are absent from work as a result of industrial action or unpaid additional child related leave this period of time will not count towards your pension. If you have taken authorised unpaid leave (not including additional maternity or similar family leave) you will have paid contributions for the first 30 days of your absence so you will not have lost any pension unless your absence lasted more than 30 days. Use this option if you wish to buy back the pension that you have lost during this time. You can do this regardless of whether you are in the main or 50/50 section of the Scheme.

You can choose to buy the lost pension by spreading payment over a number of complete years (unless you are within 1 year of your Normal Pension Age) or by making a one-off payment. If you elect to cover the break within 30 days of returning to work your employer will meet two thirds of the cost, unless the absence is due to industrial action.
Please ensure you read the terms and conditions before making an application for APCs
Please ensure you read the terms and conditions before making an application for APCs
Copyright © 2022 Local Government Association version NILGOSC 1.8

Using this Calculator: You can get a quote and print an application form to either buy extra pension or buy lost pension using this calculator. If you have any queries when using this calculator please contact NILGOSC or employer directly. Please note that no personal details are stored on this website or shared with any other party. You are responsible for any application that you make and any application form which you sign and submit to your employer or NILGOSC.