Request

1) The number of Pensions paid later than 30 days in each of the 3 calendar years 2023, 2024 and 2025 to date

2) The average number of days it took to make a first pension payment for the same years.

On the 14 November 2025 you clarified the following:

it is from the retirement date

Response

I can confirm that the NHSBSA holds the information you have requested and a copy of the information is attached.

Question 1 - The number of Pensions paid later than 30 days in each of the 3 calendar years 2023, 2024 and 2025 to date.

The number of completed awards, where the first pension payment was paid later than 30 days from payable date of the award claim, is as follows:

a) Awards completed between 01/01/2023 and 31/12/2023: 11,122

b) Awards completed between 01/01/2024 and 31/12/2024: 46,746

c) Awards completed between 01/01/2025 and 17/11/2025: 44,957

Question 1 includes all members whose first pension payment was paid later than 30 days from payable date of the award claim, where the award was completed on or after 01/01/2023.

Please note:

• Figures reflect the time from the payable date of the award claim to the first pension payment.

• They do not measure NHS Pensions performance standards, as additional information from members or employers may be required before payment can be made.

Please see the below link for current processing times:

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/current-processing-times-nhs-pensions

Question 2 - The average number of days it took to make a first pension payment for the same years.

The average number of days between first pension payment and payable date of the award claim is as follows:

a) Awards completed between 01/01/2023 and 31/12/2023: 226

b) Awards completed between 01/01/2024 and 31/12/2024: 192

c) Awards completed between 01/01/2025 and 17/11/2025: 176

Question 2 includes all members with an award completed on or after 01/01/2023.

Members who have not yet commenced payment of an annual pension, or those not due one such as Trivial Commutation awards, are not included.

Payable date may be years in the past for deferred members who have claimed after their normal retirement date.

Please note:

• Figures reflect the time from the payable date of the award claim to the first pension payment.

• They do not measure NHS Pensions performance standards, as additional information from members or employers may be required before payment can be made.

Data Queries

Please contact foirequests@nhsbsa.nhs.uk ensuring you quote the above reference if you have any specific questions regarding this response; or, if you feel you may be misunderstanding or misinterpreting the information; or, if you plan on publishing the data.

Reusing the data and copyright

If you plan on producing a press or broadcast story based upon the data please contact communicationsteam@nhsbsa.nhs.uk. This is important to ensure that the figures are not misunderstood or misrepresented.

The information supplied to you continues to be protected by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and is subject to NHSBSA copyright. This information is licenced under the terms of the Open Government Licence detailed at:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Should you wish to re-use the information you must include the following statement:

“NHSBSA Copyright 2025” This information is licenced under the terms of the Open Government Licence:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Failure to do so is a breach of the terms of the licence.

Information you receive which is not subject to NHSBSA Copyright continues to be protected by the copyright of the person, or organisation, from which the information originated. Please obtain their permission before reproducing any third party (non NHSBSA Copyright) information.