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Pension Calculator
Project your pension pot growth with tax relief, employer match, and compound returns.
Tax Relief Boost
See the impact of 20-45% tax relief
Compound Growth
Project decades of investment returns
Retirement Income
Estimate annual income at 4% withdrawal
Calculate Pension Growth
Enter your details to project your pension pot at retirement.
How Your Pension Pot Grows
The Power of Tax Relief
Every £80 you contribute becomes £100 in your pension (at 20% tax relief). Higher rate taxpayers effectively pay just £60 for £100 of pension. Over 37 years from age 30 to 67, tax relief alone can add tens of thousands to your pot. Combined with compound growth, the effect is transformative.
Employer Matching
Employer contributions are effectively free money. The auto-enrolment minimum is 3% employer + 5% employee. Many employers offer enhanced matching — always contribute enough to get the full employer match. Not doing so is leaving part of your salary on the table.
Understanding Pension Tax Relief
Basic Rate Relief (20%)
Automatically applied for workplace pensions. You contribute £80, HMRC adds £20 = £100 in your pension. For personal pensions (SIPPs), the provider claims the basic rate relief from HMRC on your behalf. No action needed from you.
Higher/Additional Rate (40%/45%)
Claim the extra 20-25% via self-assessment tax return. For a £100 gross contribution, a 40% taxpayer pays just £60 out of pocket (£80 - £20 extra relief). This makes pensions one of the most tax-efficient savings vehicles for higher earners.
How to Use This Pension Calculator
Enter Your Details
Age, retirement age, and current pot value.
Set Contributions
Your contribution, employer match, and growth rate.
View Projection
Projected pot, income, and contribution breakdown.
Maximising Your Pension
- Increase contributions gradually. Even 1% more per year makes a significant difference over decades. Time pay rises with contribution increases — you won't miss money you never saw in your pay.
- Use salary sacrifice where available. Both you and your employer save on National Insurance. Some employers pass their NI savings into your pension, boosting it further.
- Consolidate old pension pots. Multiple small pots from previous employers are harder to manage and may have higher fees. Combining them gives a clearer picture and potentially lower charges.
- Review fund choices. Default workplace pension funds may not suit your risk profile or time horizon. Younger savers can typically afford more equity exposure for higher long-term growth.
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