UK Pension Calculator
Calculate your retirement income from workplace pensions and SIPPs
Last updated: February 2026
Your Details
Total value of all your pension pots
Contributions
Saves NI as well as income tax
Growth & Fees
Typical: 4-6% (conservative to moderate)
Check your pension statement. Typical: 0.2-1.5%
Retirement Target
£241.30/week (full rate)
✓ You're on track!
£26,393/year
Projected retirement income (inc. State Pension)
Target: £25,000/year
Surplus: £1,393
Your Contributions
💰 Tax Relief (Net Pay)
Pension Growth Projection
At Retirement (Age 67)
Understanding UK Pensions
Everything you need to know about building your retirement fund
Auto-Enrolment Minimums
| Who Pays | Minimum |
|---|---|
| You | 5% |
| Employer | 3% |
| Total | 8% |
Why Contribute More?
- • Many employers will match extra contributions
- • Tax relief makes it cheaper than you think
- • Compound growth rewards early savers
- • 8% total often isn't enough for a comfortable retirement
Salary Sacrifice Benefits
If your employer offers salary sacrifice, your pension contribution comes out BEFORE tax and NI are calculated. This saves you an extra 8% (employee NI rate) on top of your income tax relief. A £100 contribution might only "cost" you £58 in take-home pay for a basic rate taxpayer.
A SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension) gives you control over your investments. Ideal for self-employed people, additional retirement saving, or consolidating old workplace pensions.
✅ SIPP Advantages
- • Wide investment choice (funds, shares, ETFs)
- • Usually lower fees than workplace pensions
- • Consolidate multiple old pensions
- • Full control over your investments
- • Tax relief claimed automatically (20%)
⚠️ Things to Consider
- • No employer contributions
- • You're responsible for investment choices
- • Higher rate taxpayers must claim extra relief via tax return
- • Minimum age to access: currently 55 (rising to 57 in 2028)
Popular SIPP Providers
Vanguard, AJ Bell, Hargreaves Lansdown, Interactive Investor, Fidelity. Compare fees carefully - a 0.5% difference in annual charges can cost tens of thousands over your lifetime.
Calculations based on 2026/27 tax year. State Pension shown at the full new rate (£241.3/week from 12 April 2026).
Related calculators
Other free UK tools that follow on from this calculation.
Pension Drawdown Calculator
How long a pension pot lasts at a chosen annual withdrawal, with the 25% tax-free lump sum.
Salary Sacrifice Calculator
How much pension you actually buy for every pound of take-home pay you give up.
State Pension Calculator
Check your State Pension age and estimate weekly pay at the £241.30 full new rate.
Annuity Calculator
Convert a pension pot into a guaranteed retirement income, single or joint life.