The latest version of Sage 50 Payroll adds the ability to enter NHS pension bands and rates, and some background improvements.

If you process an NHS pension scheme, we recommend you install this update right away.

If you have background updates enabled, your software may have already installed the latest update automatically.

To check your current version and find out what to do next, follow the steps below.

Check your current version

You can only install the background update if your current version is 31.00.231. Follow the steps below to check your version number, and find out what to do next.

1. Log in to your software as normal.
2. Select Help then About.
3. Under the Program Details heading, note your Version Number. If this:
   • Is 31.00.236, you don't need to install any updates as your software is up to date, skip ahead to the next steps section
   • Is 31.00.231, continue to the install v31.00.236 section
   • Is 31.00.229, follow the download and install Sage 50 Payroll article to install v31.00.231, then follow the install v31.00.236 steps below
   • Begins with 30, follow the download and install Sage 50 Payroll article to install v31.00.231, then follow the install v31.00.236 steps below

Install v31.00.236

There's no installation wizard with a background update. When you run the update it updates your software in the background, so allow the installer a minute or so to run.

1. Close Sage 50 Payroll. If you have other Sage software on your computer, for example Sage 50 Accounts, close this too.
2. Click the download link below:
   • Download the v31.00.236 background update
3. Locate and right-click the downloaded file Sage50Payroll_BU_3100236.exe, then click Run as administrator.
    NOTE: Nothing appears while the installer is working, as there's no installation wizard with a background update. 
4. Wait a minute or so to allow the update to complete.
5. Log in to your software as normal, and check that the version is now v31.00.236. ▼ The version number hasn't updated.

   This occurs if any processes related to your Sage software are still running on your computer when you run the installer. It can also occur if you don't use the run as administrator option.

   These processes sometimes continue to run in the background on your computer, after you close your software. 

   To ensure it's fully closed:

   1. Save any work you have open, then restart your computer.
   2. When you log back in to your computer, don't open any Sage software.
   3. Browse to the folder you saved the background installer in.
   4. Right-click Sage50Payroll_BU_3100236.exe, then click Run as administrator.
   5. Wait a minute or so to allow the update to complete.

Next steps

You're now using the latest version of Sage 50 Payroll. If you don't process an NHS pension scheme, continue to process your payroll as normal.

If you process an NHS pension scheme, enter the new NHS pension legislation to your software before you process a payroll for 1 April 2025 or after.

If you already had to process a payroll for 1 April 2025 or after using old NHS pension legislation, we recommend you reprocess it. For help with doing this, follow the what to do if you processed NHS pensions using incorrect legislation article.