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Pension Contribution Optimiser
How much should you pay into your pension this year — and what is it really worth?
How much can you pay in?
The two limits that bind
You get tax relief on contributions up to 100% of your relevant earnings, and your total contributions must stay within the annual allowance (£60,000 for 2026/27) plus any unused allowance carried forward from the previous three years. Whichever is lower sets your ceiling — the optimiser applies both automatically.
Why a maxed plan can win
Every pound of pension contribution is topped up by tax relief and grows tax-free until you draw it. For a higher-rate taxpayer, £1 in the pension can cost as little as ~70p of spendable cash. The optimiser shows that trade explicitly, and whether it is worth it for you after exit tax.
How to use this optimiser
Enter the essentials
Year of birth, salary, and your scheme percentages.
Add detail if you have it
Other income, savings, salary sacrifice, carry-forward.
Read the trade
Recommended contribution, cost now, and gain by retirement.
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