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National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill

A Bill to Make provision to amend section 4 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, and section 4 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992, so that amounts of salary sacrificed for employer pensions contributions pursuant to optional remuneration arrangements are liable to national insurance contributions.

What this bill does

Second reading - the general debate on all aspects of the bill - took place on 4 February. What happens next? Committee stage - line by line examination of the bill – is scheduled for 24 February.

Originating House

House of Commons

Sponsor

Rachel ReevesLabour (Co-op)

Last Updated

20 February 2026

In Plain English

AI-generated

This bill changes how National Insurance is charged on money employees sacrifice from their pay to fund employer pension contributions under salary sacrifice schemes. It amends the NIC rules in the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (and the Northern Ireland version) so those sacrificed amounts are subject to National Insurance.

Key Points

  • Amends section 4 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 and the Northern Ireland equivalent to change NIC treatment.
  • Applies National Insurance contributions to salary sacrificed amounts used for employer pension contributions under optional remuneration arrangements.
  • Addresses a potential NICs loophole in how pension contributions via salary sacrifice are taxed.
  • Affects payroll processes, employers offering salary sacrifice, and employees who participate in these schemes, as well as the pensions industry.
  • Has progressed through the Commons (Second Reading and Committee considerations) and is now in the Lords Committee stage, with the next Lords stage scheduled.

Progress

The bill is currently in Committee stage in the Lords after passing Second Reading and related stages in the Commons. The next step is Lords Committee scrutiny, followed by further Lords stages and, if approved, Royal Assent.

Voting

In the Commons, major votes showed broad support for the main measures (Second Reading: 312–165; Third Reading: 316–194). Amendments proposed in Committee were defeated (e.g., New Clause 5: 195–317; Amendment 5: 191–326). Voting patterns were mixed across parties rather than strictly along party lines.

Who is affected?

Employees who participate in salary sacrifice arrangements for pension contributionsEmployers that offer optional remuneration/salary sacrifice pension schemesPayroll and HR staff responsible for processing salary sacrificePension providers and the broader pensions industryHM Revenue & Customs and other government bodies involved in administering National Insurance

Generated 21 February 2026

How Parties Are Voting

Based on 6 recorded votes • Sorted by % Aye

Green PartyGenerally For
8 / 0
Democratic Unionist PartyMixed
20 / 6
Traditional Unionist VoiceMixed
2 / 1
ConservativeMixed
348 / 187
Reform UKMixed
15 / 10
IndependentMixed
17 / 15
Ulster Unionist PartyMixed
2 / 2
Liberal DemocratMixed
130 / 149
Scottish National PartyMixed
16 / 20
Plaid CymruMixed
8 / 11
Labour (Co-op)Mixed
607 / 849
Your PartyMixed
2 / 3
Social Democratic & Labour PartyGenerally Against
0 / 5
AllianceGenerally Against
0 / 1
Sinn FéinMixed
0 / 0
SpeakerMixed
0 / 0

Updates & Documents

News (1)

National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill

22 Jan 2026

Second reading - the general debate on all aspects of the bill - took place on 4 February.

What happens next?

Committee stage - line by line examination of the bill – is scheduled to begin on 24 February.

Documents (30)

HL Bill 164-I Marshalled list for Grand Committee
Amendment PaperLords
20 Feb 2026
HL Bill 164 Running list of amendments - 17 February 2026
Amendment PaperLords
17 Feb 2026
HL Bill 164 Running list of amendments - 16 February 2026
Amendment PaperLords
16 Feb 2026
HL Bill 164 Running list of amendments - 11 February 2026
Amendment PaperLords
11 Feb 2026
HL Bill 164 Running list of amendments - 5 February 2026
Amendment PaperLords
5 Feb 2026
46th Report of the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee
Select Committee reportLords
2 Feb 2026
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: HL Bill 164
Briefing papersLords
29 Jan 2026
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: Delegated Powers Memorandum
Delegated Powers MemorandumLords
23 Jan 2026
HL Bill 164 Explanatory Notes
Explanatory NotesLords
22 Jan 2026
HL Bill 164 (as brought from the Commons)
BillLords
22 Jan 2026

Parliamentary Votes (6)