Our calculators haven't yet been updated to reflect the Transitional Protection changes.  

Flexibilities Calculator

Step 1 of 2
Please select the flexibility you would like to calculate


Additional Pension - If you want to buy additional pension it’s calculated separately from your main pension benefits. The cost depends on various aspects, such as your age and how much additional pension you want to receive. It’ll be index-linked both while you’re working and after you retire. You can buy Additional Pension for yourself, or, you can buy it for you and your adult beneficiary. Faster Accrual - Faster Accrual gives you the opportunity to pay higher contributions to increase the amount of pension you will build up in the scheme year (1 April to 31 March). This option is only available to members in the career average arrangements. AAB Buy-Out - As a member in the career average arrangement, you also have the option to Buy Out the standard rate of actuarial reduction that’ll apply to your benefits if you decide to retire before reaching your Normal Pension Age. The standard rate of actuarial reduction applies up to a maximum of 3 years between the ages of 65 and 68. If your career average Normal Pension Age is lower, for example 67, you can only take out 2 years of AAB Buy Out).

Additional Pension

Your Date of Birth
Additional Pension Units HelpEnter the number of units of Additional Pension that you wish to purchase. Note that there is a maximum amount of extra pension that can be purchased in each arrangement of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. Details of the current maxima are available in the Updates section. You may close this dialog by pressing the escape key.

Faster Accrual

Faster Accrual Buy OutAre you also taking a buy out?
If you have already elected to take AAB Buy-Out, please select Yes. You may close this dialog by pressing the escape key.
Buy-Out Years and Months

AAB Buyout

Your Date of Birth
Buy-Out Amount to be Purchased
Your Additional Pension inputs were:
Date of Birth Would You Like to Buy Dependant Benefits? Number of Units Purchased: Lump Sum or Yearly
Your Additional Pension calculation is as follows:
Your Faster Accrual inputs were:
Accrual Rate Current Age Pensionable Earnings
Your Faster Accrual calculation is as follows:
Based on the above, you will be required to pay regular contributions of
Additional Cost for the Year (faster accrual only)
Total Pension Amount for the Year
Standard Pension Amount for the Year
Your AAB Buyout inputs were:
Date of Birth Buy-Out Amount to be Purchased Annual Salary
Your AAB Buyout calculation is as follows:
Your calculation is as follows:
An error occurred during your chosen flexibilities calculation, please try completing the process again.

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What this calculator can and can't tell you

  • The maximum overall extra pension that can be purchased in each arrangement of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme is adjusted in line with Pensions Increase. See here for the current maxima.
  • Our calculators haven’t yet been updated to reflect the changes being introduced because of Transitional Protection. The results don’t include the changes required for the remedy period (1 April 2015 to 31 March 2022). More information on Transitional Protection is available in Scheme Changes.
  • Extra pension built up in one arrangement does not count toward the allowance in the other arrangement.
  • If you have previously taken up one of the pension flexibilities then the revalued pension benefits they represent will count towards the remaining extra pension available in the respective scheme arrangement.
  • Please note that this calculator does not take any prior purchase of pension flexibilities into account and you may not be able to purchase the amount of extra pension you have modelled in the calculator. When applying for flexibilities online you will not be permitted to make a selection that will cause you to exceed the extra pension maxima.
  • If your NPA is 60 you are permitted to make an Additional Pension election that will end after you reach age 60, but the payment period must cease before your 65th birthday. This calculator does not cater for this scenario, but if you apply online you will be able to view the cost before confirming the election.
  • Additional pension is available in amounts of £250 per annum. It can either be bought for the member only or to provide member and dependants’ pensions. Once bought, the pension is revalued up to the date of retirement.
  • You can purchase an additional pension solely for personal benefits or for a combination of personal and partners’ benefits. The partner’s pension will be half of your own additional pension. You cannot purchase additional pension after normal pension age (NPA), except if you are in pensionable employment after NPA 60.
  • The overall amount of extra pension that can be purchased is subject to limits, which are index-linked and adjusted annually. Details of the current maxima are available in the Updates section.
  • In career average, your pension builds up based on a standard rate of 1/57th of your pensionable earnings. You can elect to purchase a faster build-up, known as the accrual rate, by paying higher contributions.
  • You’ve one month to make an election from when you join the career average arrangement or new employment. Each Faster Accrual election lasts for a maximum of one year and ceases at the end of the Scheme year, which runs from 1 April to 31 March. Subsequent elections must be received by Teachers’ Pensions by 31 March to cover the next Scheme year.
  • The accrual rates a member can elect to purchase are: 1/55th, 1/50th or 1/45th
  • If you’re in the Career Average arrangement you can purchase Faster Accrual, Buy Out and Additional Pension. The overall amount of extra pension that can be purchased is subject to limits, which are index-linked and adjusted annually. Details of the current maxima are available in the Updates section. For further details on the other flexibilities that are available read our general factsheet on flexibilities (PDF, 125 KB) (This link opens in a new window).
  • From 1 April 2015 if you’re in career average you’ll be able to Buy Out that actuarial adjustment for up to three years, depending on the number of years between 65 and your career average NPA. You’ll pay higher contributions subject to an overall flexibilities limit.
  • A Buy Out election that takes you above the flexibilities limit will be permitted, but you will not be able to take any further flexibilities whilst the Buy Out election is in place. For 2016-2017 the limit in the career average arrangement is £6,600. For example: if your career average NPA is 66 you’ll be able to Buy Out up to one year’s actuarial adjustment; if your NPA is 67 you’ll be able to Buy Out up to two years; and if your NPA is 68 you’ll be able to Buy Out up to three years.
  • If you’re in the Career Average arrangement you can purchase Faster Accrual, Buy Out and Additional Pension. The overall amount of extra pension that can be purchased is subject to limits, which are index-linked and adjusted annually. Details of the current maxima are available in the Updates section. For further details on the other flexibilities that are available read our general factsheet on flexibilities (PDF, 125 KB) (This link opens in a new window).