Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Salary sacrifice definition

What does Salary sacrifice mean? Salary sacrifice describes a contractual change under which an employee agrees to give up part of their future cash pay in return for a non‑cash benefit, most commonly an increased employer pension contribution of equivalent value. It is a descriptive term rather than a statutory definition. In the UK, HMRC treats it under the optional remuneration arrangements regime; tax/NIC advantages have been curtailed for many benefits, but employer pension contributions via salary sacrifice remain generally tax‑ and NIC‑efficient. In Ireland, the concept is recognised in Revenue guidance; tax/PRSI/USC outcomes depend on specific statutory reliefs (for example, approved pension,...

UK pension salary sacrifice: tax and NICs, auto-enrolment, employment law impacts, implementation pitfalls, and the 2029 £2,000 NIC relief cap

Published by a LexisNexis Pensions expert

Practice notes

FORTHCOMING CHANGE :

Following the Budget 2025 announcement on 26 November 2025, the government is progressing legislation through the National insurance contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill to restrict the level of Salary sacrifice pension contributions that qualify for National Insurance Contribution (NIC) relief to £2,000 per year. Any pension contributions above £2,000 made via salary sacrifice will, for NIC purposes, be treated in the same manner as other employee workplace pension payments; that is, primary and secondary Class 1 NIC charges will apply to those contributions. This reform is scheduled to take effect from 6 April 2029. The Bill leaves the detailed rules to be set out in regulations. For additional detail, see News Analysis: Bill to limit NIC relief passes Second Reading in Commons despite opposition and Practice Note: Salary sacrifice NIC relief to be capped at £2,000 from 6 April 2029, below.

What is salary sacrifice?

Salary sacrifice is an arrangement in which an employee gives up entitlement to a portion of their taxable pay under their employment contract in return for the employer agreeing to provide extra pension contributions or another non-cash benefit, typically resulting in beneficial tax and/or National Insurance Contributions (NICs) treatment...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Web page updated on 22/05/2026

Popular documents

Using the Judicial College Guidelines to assess general damages in personal injury claims

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Tomlin orders in England and Wales: CPR guidance on drafting, confidentiality, approval, variation, enforcement, limitation, CCA issues, court-specific requirements, sample wording and precedents

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Precedent: Deed of Surrender of Lease with Optional Premium, Settlement and Release, Landlord, Mortgagee and Guarantor Consents, Reimbursement and HM Land Registry Provisions (England and Wales)

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Precedent Statutory Declaration: Standard Wording under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...