You can join the NHS Pension Scheme if you’re aged between 16 and 75 and either:
- directly employed by the NHS
- a medical, dental, or ophthalmic practitioner or trainee
- general medical practice staff
- non-general practice providers
- freelance locum medical practitioners
Those who are self-employed or trust board non-executive members cannot join the Scheme.
Locum
If you're working as a locum for a practice on a self-employed basis, have been added to the contract as a performer, and you're not employed through an agency, you can pay into the NHS Pension Scheme.
If you're working as a locum through a third-party such as working for an agency, you cannot pay into the Scheme as you're not employed directly by the NHS.
Dental practice staff
You cannot pay into the Scheme as you're not employed directly by the NHS.
This includes:
- practice managers
- dental nurses
- dental therapists
- dental hygienists