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Want to top up your pension?

You can make a one-off payment any time

If you’ve got a bit of extra money, from a bonus, a pay rise, or just a good month, you can put it straight into your pension. It’s called a one-off or additional voluntary contribution (AVC), and it’s a great way to grow your pension pot faster.

Why it’s worth thinking about

A one-off payment into your pension can give your savings a real boost and it’s backed by tax benefits too.

  • Get a boost from the government. You’ll get tax relief at your highest rate (if you’re under 75), meaning more of your money goes into your pension.

  • Make the most of extra income. Ideal for putting away some of a bonus, gift, or inheritance.

  • Help your money grow. The earlier you invest, the longer it has to grow.

  •  Put spare savings to work. Got excess cash sitting in a savings account? A one-off pension payment could give it a better chance to grow, especially if you’ve already got an emergency fund in place.

  • Plan ahead. If you’re a higher earner, making a one-off pension payment could reduce your tax bill and help you keep more of your personal allowance.

Two ways to make a one-off contribution

1. Through your employer

This is the simplest way. Your employer takes the extra amount from your salary and sends it to us with your usual pension data.

  • Just speak to your payroll team to arrange it.

  • The money should show up in your pot within 6 weeks of the payroll being processed.

  • Want it to count for this  current tax year? Make sure it’s done before the end of February to be safe.

Bonus tip: If you’re getting a bonus, ask your employer if they offer bonus exchange (also called bonus sacrifice). That means putting some or all of your bonus straight into your pension, often with tax advantages.

2. Pay in from your personal account

You can make a one-off payment straight from your bank account. Just get in touch with our pension partner, Smart Pension, to set it up. We’ve teamed up with Smart to make managing your pension simple, secure, and flexible.

  • Contact Smart first by emailing smrt.pe/member-contact or calling 0333 666 2626.

  • Have your National Insurance number ready. You’ll also need a few personal details and they’ll ask some quick security questions before they can make any changes.

  • They will be able to guide you through the process.

Important: You may need to claim some of the tax relief on your tax return, depending on how your employer’s scheme is set up.

Things to check before you pay in

  • Deadline: Payments need to be received by 5 April to count for the current tax year.

  • No refunds: Once you’ve made the payment, it stays in your pension.

  • Annual allowance: You can contribute up to £60,000 in tax year 2025-2026 and still get tax relief (or more if you’re eligible for carry forward). Want to know more? The annual allowance for tax relief on pension savings provides further info. 

  • Tax relief rules: You can normally pay in 100% of your UK earnings or £3,600, whichever is more, and still get tax relief.

  • Carry forward: Haven’t used all your allowance in the last three years? You might be able to top up using that. You’ll need to meet certain rules and provide Smart Pension, our pension partner, with certain calculations.

If you're not sure what applies to you, it’s worth checking.

Not sure how much to pay in?
You can talk it through with a Thrive financial coach. They’ll help you understand your options and feel more confident about your decision. Just book a free session in the app when it suits you.