Number of doctors breaching annual allowance grows by 68%

The number of doctors exceeding their annual pension allowance in the UK has risen by nearly 70% in 2021-22, according to a Freedom of Information request by Wesleyan. The inflation-linked NHS pension scheme has not proportionally increased the allowance limit, causing more doctors to breach it and risk additional taxation. Some medical professionals are limiting work hours or considering early retirement to avoid hefty tax bills, an issue exacerbated during a doctor shortage and Covid-fuelled backlog of patients.