How are benefits worked out?

1/49th of your pensionable pay is put into your pension account every year. The balance in your pension account is adjusted in line with the cost of living every April. When you retire, the balance in your pension account is the annual pension payable for life.

An historic example of how benefits accrue
Scheme YearOpening BalancePension build up in Scheme yearTotal account 31 MarchCost of living adjustmentTotal Pension
2022/23£0.00£24,500 ÷ 49 = £500.00£500.0010.1%
£50.50
£550.50
2023/24£550.50£25,000 ÷ 49 = £510.20£1,060.706.7%
£71.07
£1,131.77
2024/25£1,137.77£27,000 ÷ 49 = £551.02£1,682.791.7%
£28.61
£1,711.40
2025/26£1,711.40£27,500 ÷ 49 = £561.22£2,272.623.8%
£86.36
£2,358.98