How much should I save into my pension?

A common guideline is to halve the age you start saving and use that as a percentage of your salary. For example, if you start at 30, save at least 15% of your salary. The auto-enrolment minimum is 8% (5% employee + 3% employer).

What is the pension annual allowance for 2025/26?

The annual allowance for pension contributions in 2025/26 is £60,000. This includes both your contributions and your employer's. Tax relief is available on contributions up to this limit or your annual earnings, whichever is lower.

When can I access my pension?

You can usually access your defined contribution pension from age 55 (rising to 57 from April 2028). You can take up to 25% as a tax-free lump sum. The remainder is taxed as income when you withdraw it.

Workplace Pension Calculator

Calculate your workplace pension contributions and projected pot at retirement under auto-enrolment.

Last updated: April 2026 · Source: GOV.UK — Pension annual allowance

Annual Salary

Your Contribution (%)

Employer Contribution (%)

Current Pension Pot

Years to Retirement

Expected Growth (%)

Projected Pension Pot at Retirement

£194,193.68

25% tax-free lump sum: £48,548.42

Your Monthly

£145.83

Employer Monthly

£87.50

Investment Growth

£110,193.68

Tax Relief (basic)

£350.00/yr

Disclaimer

This calculator is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial or tax advice. All calculations are performed locally in your browser — no personal data is collected or sent to our servers. Rates and thresholds are sourced from HMRC and GOV.UK and are updated for the current tax year. Always verify results with HMRC or consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

How It Works

This calculator projects the value of your pension pot at retirement based on your current contributions, employer contributions, investment growth and tax relief. It uses compound growth with monthly contributions to model how your pot grows over time.

UK pension contributions receive tax relief at your marginal rate. Basic-rate taxpayers get 20% relief automatically (a £100 contribution costs you £80). Higher-rate taxpayers can claim an additional 20% through Self Assessment. The annual allowance for 2025/26 is £60,000.

Auto-enrolment requires a minimum total contribution of 8% (5% employee + 3% employer). Many employers offer more generous matching schemes. The calculator lets you model different contribution levels and see the impact on your projected retirement income.

Example: Age 30, £40,000 salary, 5%+3% contributions, retiring at 67

Monthly employee contribution: £166.67 (5%)
Monthly employer contribution: £100.00 (3%)
Tax relief (basic rate): £41.67/month
Total monthly: £308.34
Projected pot at 67 (5% growth): ~£390,000
Potential annual drawdown (4% rule): ~£15,600

Source: GOV.UK — Pension annual allowance

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I save into my pension?: A common guideline is to halve the age you start saving and use that as a percentage of your salary. For example, if you start at 30, save at least 15% of your salary. The auto-enrolment minimum is 8% (5% employee + 3% employer).
What is the pension annual allowance for 2025/26?: The annual allowance for pension contributions in 2025/26 is £60,000. This includes both your contributions and your employer's. Tax relief is available on contributions up to this limit or your annual earnings, whichever is lower.
When can I access my pension?: You can usually access your defined contribution pension from age 55 (rising to 57 from April 2028). You can take up to 25% as a tax-free lump sum. The remainder is taxed as income when you withdraw it.