Project your retirement pot, estimate monthly income and calculate tax relief on contributions.
The rates used here. See the annual allowance, taper and lifetime figures used in this projection, each with its official source and the date UKCalc last checked it, on the 2026/27 rates and thresholds UKCalc uses.
| Your monthly contribution | — |
| Employer monthly contribution | — |
| Total monthly into pot | — |
| Your effective monthly cost (after tax relief) | — |
| Tax relief rate | — |
| Years to retirement | — |
| Growth rate applied | — |
| Projected pot at retirement | — |
This calculator uses standard compound growth to project how your pension pot could grow between now and your target retirement age. It factors in your own contributions, your employer's contributions, any existing pot, and a chosen investment growth rate.
The power of compound growth means your pot earns returns not just on your contributions, but on all previous growth too. A modest monthly contribution in your 30s is worth significantly more than the same contribution started in your 50s, because it has more time to compound. Starting early is the single most impactful decision you can make.
One of the most valuable features of a pension is tax relief — the government tops up your contributions based on your income tax rate:
Employer contributions are also free of Income Tax and National Insurance — making them effectively worth more than equivalent salary.
The Annual Allowance is the maximum total amount that can be paid into your pension and receive tax relief in a tax year. For 2026/27 it is £60,000 — including both your own contributions and your employer's. It is capped at 100% of your earnings if that is lower. If you exceed the allowance, you face a tax charge on the excess. Very high earners (above £260,000 adjusted income) face a tapered annual allowance — consult an adviser if this may apply to you.
The estimated monthly income shown is based on the widely-used 4% rule: withdrawing 4% of your pot per year, divided by 12. Research suggests this rate is sustainable over a 30-year retirement under typical market conditions. This is an estimate — actual income depends on how you draw down your pension (drawdown vs annuity), investment returns in retirement, and your personal circumstances.
Since 2012, most UK employers are legally required to auto-enrol eligible workers into a workplace pension. The legal minimums are 5% from you and 3% from your employer (a combined 8% of qualifying earnings). Many employers offer more, particularly as a salary benefit — it is worth checking whether your employer will match additional contributions, since that part is employer-funded.
Three realistic scenarios showing how contributions and time compound into retirement income. All projections use the stated growth rate with monthly compounding.
All projections are estimates based on stated growth rates with monthly compounding and level contributions. Actual returns vary. Not financial advice.
SIPPs let you consolidate old pensions and choose your own investments. Annual fees vary significantly.
Occasional updates on UK tax changes, Budget announcements and useful money tools. Free to subscribe. Unsubscribe anytime.
Statutory pension figures, and the projection assumptions this calculator makes. Official figures last checked on 2 September 2026.
Official figures this calculator applies
UKCalc assumptions — not official figures
Not a forecast. This is a compounding model, not a prediction. Investment returns are not smooth, sequence-of-returns risk matters near retirement, and past performance does not indicate future results. The normal minimum pension age is currently 55 and is legislated to rise to 57 in April 2028.