X-Factor

What's it for?

X-Factor is included within the Annual Salary to compensate for the different conditions of Service life you experience compared to those in civilian employment, averaged over a whole career and across all three Services. X-Factor remunerates for a number of components of Service life as determined by the Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB), which are currently:

• Turbulence

• Spouse/partner employment

• Danger to physical and mental health

• Separation

• Job security

• Hours of work

• Stress, personal relationships and impact of the job

• Leave

• Training, education, adventure training and personal development

• Promotion and early responsibility

• Autonomy, management control and flexibility 

• Individual, trade union and collective rights

What do I get?

The AFPRB also recommends the rate of X-Factor. At present this is currently:

• 14.5% for Regulars, Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) on Full Commitment and Mobilised Volunteer Reserves.

• 11.5% for Full Time Regular Restricted Separation.

• 5% for Part Time Volunteer Reserves, FTRS personnel on Limited Commitment, Reserve personnel on Additional Duties Commitment, and Military Provost Guard Service.

• 0% for FTRS personnel on Home Commitment. 

The full rates of X-Factor are paid to all Other Ranks and Officer ranks up to OF4 (Commander / Lieutenant Colonel / Wing Commander) and it tapers above this.

X Factor is 'pensionable' (i.e. the the amount of X-Factor received helps determines the amount of pension accrued).

How do I claim?

This will be processed automatically by your Unit HR / Personnel Office.