It's not that simple. In the NHS, the allowance applies to a calculation which is nothing to do with how much has been paid into the pension, and not a matter of choice for the NHS Scheme. ie it's not a case of paying in or affording to pay in 40K of pension - sheesh I wish. The calculation means that when inflation goes up and you are in the last few years of service, you'll exceed the calculated limit automatically and have a fee to pay on money you never earned. I'd happily pay tax on my pension contributions throughout the year, it would be an awful lot less than the calculated charge and I don't come close to paying in 40K a year.
I'm wishing I'd not brought this up - but the situation is incredibly unfair for the NHS, it means for many doctors over 50, they will be penalised for working 5 days a week rather than working 4 days a week.... which is one of the reasons the NHS is struggling with staff. You ask someone to do some hours to help out, oh and we'll charge you for doing those hours. I am utterly daft since I still help out in the evenings in the hospital 2 days a week, one of a shrinking number of people willing to help. I feel an out dated sense of duty and vocational obligation that doesn't make any financial sense, but I do so anyway.
So what's the point of posting here on a brewing forum - I guess it's to inform, that it's not a case of doctors paying more than 40K into their pensions, or even having any choice over the matter, and left unchanged with the inflation rate as it is, this is going to far worsen the staffing situation. Ok I'm going to leave it at that, it's actually quite upsetting as I want to help patients, work to retirement age and give back through education and support of those coming into the profession, but the charges are punishing and it's making me re-assess what I can do for the next few years.