NI Teachers' Pension Scheme contribution rates 2026/27

From 1 April 2026, a member of the Northern Ireland Teachers’ Pension Scheme (NITPS) pays between 7.40% and 12.06% of pensionable pay, depending on which of six bands their salary falls into. The percentages are unchanged from 2025/26, but the band limits went up by 3.8%, the rise in CPI in the year to September 2025. The figures come from Department of Education circular 2026/11, issued on 18 February 2026, and they apply to all members.

The 2026/27 bands

Actual annual pensionable earnings, 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027	Contribution rate
Up to £36,198.99	7.40%
£36,199 to £48,727.99	8.87%
£48,728 to £57,776.99	9.90%
£57,777 to £76,572.99	10.52%
£76,573 to £104,413.99	11.65%
£104,414 and above	12.06%

How the bands moved

The circular shows the 2025/26 bands next to the new ones, so you can see how much each threshold shifted.

Rate	2025/26 band	2026/27 band
7.40%	up to £34,872.99	up to £36,198.99
8.87%	£34,873 to £46,943.99	£36,199 to £48,727.99
9.90%	£46,944 to £55,660.99	£48,728 to £57,776.99
10.52%	£55,661 to £73,768.99	£57,777 to £76,572.99
11.65%	£73,769 to £100,590.99	£76,573 to £104,413.99
12.06%	£100,591 and above	£104,414 and above

The circular says the percentage rise in the bands is the same as the rise in CPI in the year to September 2025. Because every band limit moved up by 3.8%, a teacher whose pay stayed the same could drop into a lower band, and one whose pay rose by less than 3.8% could stay where they were. Check your band against your pay, because last year’s rate may no longer apply.

Which pay counts

Contributions are based on actual annual salary rate, not full-time equivalent. That matters for part-time teachers. Say a teacher is on a salary that would be £45,000 a year full time but works at 60%. Their actual annual pay is £27,000, which puts them in the lowest band. The example is hypothetical and uses no real scale point. The teacher pay in Northern Ireland guide shows the scales these figures come from, and public sector pensions for part-time staff covers how part-time service builds up.

How it compares with England

The Department of Education circular covers Northern Ireland only. The Teachers’ Pension Scheme in England and Wales is a separate scheme, so do not read its bands or rates across. The Teachers’ Pension Scheme explained guide covers that scheme.

Your take-home pay

The take-home pay calculator shows what your salary pays after tax, National Insurance and a pension contribution. If you are thinking about leaving the scheme, opting out of a public sector pension explains what is involved, and the scheme or an independent adviser can talk through your own case.

What to check

• Your annual salary rate on your payslip against the band table.
• Whether your contract is part time, and what your actual annual earnings are.
• The Department of Education website for any later circular on the bands.
• Any question about your own record, sent to the Teachers’ Pay and Pensions Team at the Department of Education, Orchard House, 40 Foyle Street, Londonderry BT48 6AT, or [email protected].