Additional pension contributions (known as APCs) allow you to boost the pension you’ll receive from us.
You can purchase an APC to either buy extra pension simply because you want to, or to buy pension for periods where you haven't paid contributions.
The payments you make attract tax relief and the additional pension you buy will increase in line with the cost of living each year.
How much it will cost
If you are purchasing ‘extra’ pension, or buying back ‘lost’ pension for a period of absence before 1 April 2026, the cost of buying your APC depends on:
- how old you are when you start paying
- how much you want to buy
- the length of time you want to buy it over
If you are buying back pension ‘lost’ during a period of authorised unpaid absence that began on or after 1 April 2026 of more than 14 days, the cost will be in line with your standard contributions, but you must apply to do so within one year of returning to work. This is known as a Qualifying Additional Pension Arrangement (QAPA). Your employer will also pay their usual contributions on the ‘lost’ pension. Your employer will provide you with the full detals of the QAPA when you return to work.
Please note, if you have an authorised unpaid absence that started after 31 March 2026 and is 14 days or less, you will automatically pay the contributions you would have paid during that period, as if you had been working your usual hours. Your employer will arrange this with you upon your return to work, so you will not need to enter into a APC or QAPA arrangement.
How you can pay
You can choose to pay your APCs over a period of time, or you can buy your APC by paying a one-off lump sum. The maximum amount you can boost your pension by is currently £9,054 from 1 April 2026. This amount is reviewed each year.
Regular payments
Your employer collects your contributions from your pay if you choose to spread the cost of an APC.
When we receive your APC application to purchase 'extra pension', we require a satisfactory medical report from your GP. Please be aware that you're responsible for any fees payable to your GP for the report. You can find the 'APC medical clearance form' attached to this page.
If you enter into a QAPA to buy back 'lost' pension, we will not require a medical report from your GP.
Lump sum
A one-off lump sum payment is usually deducted from your pay. You can also make a one-off lump sum payment directly to us. If you choose this option, you'll need to claim any tax relief through your annual tax return, or directly with HMRC.
Some important points to note
There are some rules to be aware of if you take payment from your pension early or late. If you leave before you finish your APC contract or if you die before taking your pension:
- The lost or extra pension you've bought will be reduced if you take your pension early (before your normal pension age), unless you retire on ill health.
- We'll apply an increase if you take your pension after your normal pension age.
- If you leave the LGPS before you complete your APC or QAPA payments, we'll work out the amount of additional pension you've bought based on the payments you've made. The exception to this would be if you retire with a tier 1 or tier 2 ill health pension from the same post, when your contract would be deemed fully paid.
- An APC doesn’t increase the pension payable to your dependent if you die before taking your pension. This is because buying extra or lost pension (where the period 'lost' is not due to authorised unpaid leave after 31 March 2026) only applies to the pension you receive.
- If you enter into a QAPA to buy 'lost' pension due to a period of authorised unpaid leave that began after 31 March 2026, you will also buy back the 'lost' dependent pension for that period.
Use the APC calculators
The national LGPS Member website has 2 calculators to help you work out how much it will cost to take out an APC. Make sure you read the terms and conditions available in the application section of your chosen calculator before going ahead with a purchase:
'Buy extra pension' calculator
Use this calculator if you wish to boost your benefits at retirement.
Use the extra pension calculator
'Buy lost pension' calculator
Use this calculator if you wish buy back the pension that you've lost during a period of unpaid leave before 1 April 2026.
Use the lost pension calculator
QAPA calculator
Your employer will provide you with the full options relating to a QAPA upon your return to work, including how much this will cost if you pay in a single lump sum payment, or if you were to pay in instalments.
Links to useful documents