Members' Salaries and Allowances

Members' salaries are provided for under the terms of the Assembly Members (Salaries) Determination (Northern Ireland) 2026

Members’ pensions are provided for under the terms of the Assembly Members (Pensions) Determination (Northern Ireland) 2016

The Independent Remuneration Board is responsible for determining the salaries and pensions of Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). The Board is a statutory body, established by the Assembly Members (Independent Remuneration Board) Act (Northern Ireland) 2025 which amended the Assembly Members (Independent Financial Review and Standards) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011

The role of the Board is to make determinations in relation to all aspects of salaries and pensions for MLAs as well as the remuneration of additional officeholders including the Speaker, Deputy Speakers, Assembly Commission Members and Committee Chairpersons. The Board also considers the salaries and pensions of the First Minister, the deputy First Minister, Executive Ministers and junior Ministers.

View more information on the Independent Remuneration Board.

Members’ allowances are provided for under the terms of the Assembly Members (Office and Staffing Costs and Allowances) Determination (Northern Ireland) 2025

In June 2020, the Assembly conferred powers on the Assembly Commission to determine allowances payable to Members. On 4 February 2025, this authority was extended to include the power to determine allowances for former Members.

These Determinations provide the necessary resources for Members to carry out their functions. They establish the level of travel allowances that will be paid, enable Members to pay staff, and also to recover the costs incurred in running a constituency office to provide services to constituents such as purchasing equipment, rent, rates, utilities and other operating costs.