Assumptions and pay data
Pay data: Armed Forces pay. Senior Rank (OR-4 to OR-6): £40,989 to £50,598, rates from 1/4/2026. Checked 30/9/2026.
- Part-time Flexible Service cuts working time by 20% or 40%, one or two days in a 5-day week, and pay, pension and leave fall in the same proportion (GOV.UK, Flexible Service in the armed forces).
- The salaries already include X-Factor. Restricted separation, the other Flexible Service option, reduces X-Factor instead of hours and is not modelled here.
- Flexible Service is set in days, not hours; the hours shown assume a 40-hour week.
Reduced/Compressed Hours Calculator
UKArmed Forces / Flexible Service rulesFramework from 1/4/2026
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Guide for Senior Rank
This guide explains reduced and compressed working patterns for Senior Rank on Senior Rank (OR-4 to OR-6) at Armed Forces. Not every employer offers every pattern; use this for pay impact, then confirm eligibility with HR.
Reduced hours for Senior Rank
This page models named patterns (four-day week, nine-day fortnight, term-time only, annualised hours) for Senior Rank on Senior Rank (OR-4 to OR-6) at Armed Forces. Pay is pro-rated from full-time Armed Forces pay basic pay unless your contract uses a different formula.
Reduced and compressed hours
A four-day week is typically 0.8 FTE. A nine-day fortnight is 0.9 FTE (nine working days in ten). Term-time-only staff are paid for the weeks they work plus their paid holiday, spread across the year. Annualised hours contracts spread agreed hours across the year rather than fixed weekly patterns.
Employer variation
Not every employer offers every pattern. Some use a 0.89 FTE term-time formula for support staff. The calculator uses straightforward pro-rata from full-time band pay; your payroll may differ.
Example scenario
Example: Senior Rank (OR-4 to OR-6) at £40,989. Flexible Service 80% pays £32,791, the option the calculator opens on.
| Band / grade | Senior Rank (OR-4 to OR-6) |
|---|---|
| Full-time gross (example) | £40,989 |
| At 0.8 FTE (example) | £32,791 |
| Annual difference vs full-time | £8,198 |
Frequently asked questions
How much less would I earn on Flexible Service?
At £40,989: 80% pays £32,791, £8,198 less, and 60% pays £24,593, £16,396 less. The cut applies to core pay and supplements, and daily supplements are only earned on days you are on duty (Discover My Benefits).
How long can Flexible Service last?
Up to 3 years at a time and no more than 4 years in any 12-year rolling period. It is not guaranteed: operational need comes first, and an arrangement can be varied, suspended or ended (GOV.UK).
What happens to my leave and pension?
Both fall in proportion. A 20% reduction for a year cuts that year's leave allocation by 20% (Discover My Benefits), and your pension builds up on the reduced pay.
Can I work a 9-day fortnight or term-time only?
Not under Flexible Service, which offers the 20% and 40% part-time levels, restricted separation, or both together. That is why this calculator shows only 80% and 60%.
Are the results gross or net? Do you store my data?
Unless this page says otherwise, figures are gross (before tax, National Insurance and pension). Your calculator inputs and results stay in your browser and are not stored. We only collect your name and email if you choose to give them, for example to download your results or sign up for email updates. We store them with MailerLite, our email provider, along with the page you were on. See our privacy policy.
About this role
What is a Senior Rank?
A Senior Rank is a non-commissioned service person with more experience. Pay is on the armed forces pay scale.
Typical demands, progression and balance
Senior ranks offer leadership and variety. Pay and conditions depend on service and role. Progression to warrant officer or commission is common.
What about 4-day weeks or compressed hours?
Many employers support 4-day weeks, 9-day fortnights, term-time only or annualised hours. Use the calculator above to compare full-time pay with your chosen pattern for your band.
Disclaimer
Illustrative estimates, not financial or career advice. Your payslip and contract decide what you are actually paid.