Pensions Administrator

Job overview

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented individual to join our Payroll and Pensions Team. In this role, you will provide a high-quality pensions administration service, supporting employees and managers with all aspects of the NHS Pension Scheme. You will be responsible for maintaining accurate pension records, processing pension-related transactions, and responding to enquiries in a timely and professional manner.

Working closely with colleagues across Payroll, HR, and external pension providers, you will help ensure compliance with NHS Pension Scheme regulations and reporting requirements. You will play an important role in supporting employees throughout their employment lifecycle, providing information to help them understand their pension entitlements, options, and responsibilities.

The post holder will be able to organise and prioritise their own workload, coordinating activities with the Pensions Officer to ensure that an efficient service is provided. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong administrative skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to delivering outstanding customer service within a busy and rewarding NHS environment.

The team provides a comprehensive payroll and pensions service to over 9,000 employees, processing both weekly and monthly payrolls using the NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system.

Main duties of the job

As an NHS Pensions Administrator, you will be part of a dedicated Payroll and Pensions team, providing a professional and responsive pensions administration service. You will support colleagues throughout their employment journey, offering information on NHS Pension Scheme matters and helping them understand their pension entitlements and options. The role requires strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to delivering outstanding customer service while ensuring compliance with NHS pension regulations and processes.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Answer queries via telephone, e-mail and post from employees, managers and other external agencies such as NHS Pensions.
• Provide pension information to all staff on aspects of the NHS Pension Scheme in a timely and effective manner.
• Prepare retirement application forms for members wising to retire, update retirement log and verify certificates once form has been returned.
• Attend payroll team and pension group meetings to keep up to date with any changes.
• Process pension opt out and refund forms on Pensions Online.
• Keep up to date with changes to NHS Pensions policies and procedures, pensions rules and regulations, including the Pensions Charter. Enhance own performance through continuously developing own knowledge, skills and behaviours to meet the current and future requirements of the job and respond to the learning needs of the Trust.
• In the absence of the Pensions Officer, review and manage weekly and monthly auto enrolment and re-enrolment process in line with The Pensions Regulator Directive and communicate with employees where appropriate.
• Analyse, investigate and process all pensions information relating to their membership of the scheme on Pensions Online system including overlapping employments, exceeding whole time hours, contracted hours changes, closing records for opted out members, investigating payment calculations and reconcile information.
• In the absence of the Pensions Officer, liaise with HR department, line manager, Health 4 Work and NHS Pensions to process ill health retirements.
• Prepare and send out relevant application forms to members, including transfer packs and cash equivalent transfers for divorce.
• Work with the Pensions Officer and Payroll Benefits Manager to establish and review processes, recommend and implement changes in policies and procedures from amendments in Pensions regulations and legislation, to ensure an efficient Pension Administration service is provided and adequately maintained.
• To undertake any other duties which are commensurate with the role, including project work.