What is the UK Pension?
A UK workplace pension is funded from three sources: your contribution, your employer's (minimum 3% under auto-enrolment), and tax relief from the government — 20% for basic-rate taxpayers, with higher-rate relief claimable via self-assessment.
From the minimum pension age you can take 25% tax-free as a lump sum, with the remainder taxed as income when drawn.
Formula & worked example
Pot = (Pot + contributions) × (1 + return)
Worked example: £45,000 salary at 35 with 5% from you and 3% from your employer, starting from a £40,000 pot at 5% returns. By 67 the pot reaches roughly £638,000, of which about £65,000 came from employer contributions and £27,000 from tax relief. That supports a 25% tax-free lump sum of about £160,000 and roughly £25,500 a year of sustainable income.
How to use this uk pension calculator
- Enter your salary and the contribution percentages from your pension statement.
- Add your current pot value across all pensions.
- Use 4–6% for a diversified pension fund after charges.
- State Pension age is currently 66, rising to 67 and then 68.
Smart tips
- Always contribute at least enough to get the full employer match — anything less is turning down free salary.
- Higher-rate taxpayers must claim the extra 20% relief through self-assessment; it is not automatic.
- Salary sacrifice saves National Insurance as well as Income Tax, boosting effective relief substantially.
- The annual allowance is £60,000, tapering for very high earners, and unused allowance can be carried forward three years.
- Consolidating old pensions can cut charges, but check for valuable guarantees before transferring.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I pay into my pension?
A common rule is half your age as a percentage when you start — so 15% at 30. At minimum, contribute enough to capture the full employer match.
What is pension tax relief?
The government adds 20% basic-rate relief automatically. Higher and additional-rate taxpayers claim a further 20–25% through self-assessment.
Can I take 25% of my pension tax-free?
Yes, from the minimum pension age (currently 55, rising to 57 in 2028), subject to the lump sum allowance.
What is the pension annual allowance?
£60,000 for most people, tapering down for very high earners. Unused allowance from the previous three years can be carried forward.
Want the theory behind the numbers? Read our UK pension guides on the Money Blog.