Thank you for your request for information about the following:

Request

‘Are you able to let me know for the last 5 years, what percentage of NHS staff have opted into the NHS pension scheme? Are you also able to provide this by staff group and year group please?’

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) received your request on 23 March 2026.

We have handled your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).

Our response

I am writing to advise you that following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the NHSBSA.

Members are automatically enrolled if they are eligible and may choose to opt out. We are therefore unable to provide opt in numbers as this is automatic. Information regarding joining the scheme can be found at the following link:

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/member-hub/joining-scheme

Opt-out data is published on the website and can be found at the following link:

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/information-about-nhs-pensions/nhs-pensions-opt-out-data

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 2026”. 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.