Joining the scheme
New members, will be automatically enrolled into the Nuvos pension scheme*footnote.
You also have the option of setting up a Partnership Pension Account.
Some workers will not be eligible for Nuvos and may be placed in the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) which is a workplace pension scheme set up by the Government. Entry to NEST is not administered by JSS; your employer can provide details for you though.
* If you have a previous Civil Service, RCPS or other by-analogy pension you may be eligible to join the Classic or Premium schemes.
Nuvos is an occupational defined benefit pension scheme providing the following benefits:
- A pension at age 65 linked to your pensionable earnings with an accrual rate of 2.3% and increased each year in line with inflation
- An option to take a tax free lump sum in exchange for part of your pension
- A death in service benefit of twice your final pay
- A pension for your husband, wife, civil partner or partner after your death
- A pension for your dependent children after your death
Please visit the Scheme Guides page for more information on Nuvos.
The table below shows the contribution rates that are effective from 01 April 2025
| Annualised Pensionable Earnings | Member Contribution rate % |
|---|---|
| Up to and including £34,799 | 4.60 |
| £34,800 - £56,000 | 5.45 |
| £56,001 - £150,000 | 7.35 |
| £150,001 and above | 8.05 |
Contribution rates from 01 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.
| Annualised Pensionable Earnings | Member Contribution rate % |
|---|---|
| Up to and including £32,000 | 4.60 |
| £32,001 - £56,000 | 5.45 |
| £56,001 - £150,000 | 7.35 |
| £150,001 and above | 8.05 |
Contributions are calculated as a percentage of your earnings and deducted from your gross pay before Income Tax is deducted, giving you tax relief. The actual amount of tax relief you receive will depend on your individual circumstances.
Your employer contributes 26% of your pensionable pay to the RCPS. The contributions can be likened to National Insurance (NI) contribution rates and the State Pension with no direct correlation between contribution rates and the RCPS pension. Both the employee and employer contributions help provide for the scheme members' pension benefits, unlike a Defined Contribution scheme the contributions do not build up an individual pension pot for each member.
Options on joining
On joining the scheme, there are a number of options that you may wish to consider.
You may want to consider the opportunity to transfer in a pension from another pension provider. Transfers must be made within 12 months of joining the RCPS. the transfer must also be completed before you leave the scheme or your pension comes into pay. More details are on the transfers page.
The Partnership Pension Account is a defined contribution arrangement which you can choose to be enrolled in instead of Nuvos. The Partnership pension is provided by Scottish Widows and Standard Life. For partnership pension accounts that are set up, your employer will pay an age related contribution to the selected fund / provider. The employer will also match up to 3% of your optional member contribution.
More details regarding the Partnership Pension Account can be found in the Partnership Scheme Guide which is on the Scheme Guides and Forms page.
If you choose to open a Partnership Pension you will need to complete the information on the Pension Choices form that we send to you. You must also complete your chosen pension provider's application form and return this to JSS.
Application forms and more information can be found on the provider's websites:
Scottish Widows Partnership Application Form- external link -
Scottish Widows Partnership pension Information - external link -
Standard Life Partnership Application Form - external link -
Standard Life Partnership pension information - external link -
You should contact the relevant provider if you have any questions about their forms.
Should you wish to make an amendment to your Partnership contributions please complete the details on the Making changes to your Partnership Contributions Form which can be found on the Guides and Forms page.
JSS are unable to advise you which provider to choose so you may want to compare both providers to aid your decision making.
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