🏖️ Pension Calculator

Project your pot at retirement — contributions, employer match, growth and income

yrs
yrs
£
£
%
%
Auto-enrolment minimum: 5% you + 3% employer
%

Retirement Projection

—
projected pot at retirement
Total Contributions—
Investment Growth—
Est. Annual Income (4% rule)—
+ Full State Pension (2026/27)£11,973/yr
Total Est. Retirement Income—
⚠️ Projections are illustrative — investment returns vary and are not guaranteed. Figures in today's money are lower after inflation. Consult an FCA-regulated financial adviser for retirement planning.

How Much Do You Need to Retire?

The PLSA Retirement Living Standards suggest a single person needs roughly £14,400/year for a minimum lifestyle, £31,300 for moderate, and £43,100 for comfortable (2024 figures). The full State Pension provides £11,973/year (2026/27) — private pensions bridge the gap.

The Power of Employer Contributions

Employer contributions are effectively free money — always contribute at least enough to capture the maximum employer match. Under auto-enrolment, minimum contributions are 8% of qualifying earnings (at least 3% from your employer).

The 4% Rule

A common rule of thumb: withdrawing 4% of your pot annually has historically sustained a 30-year retirement. A £300,000 pot supports roughly £12,000/year. It's a guide, not a guarantee — sequencing risk and inflation matter.

Tax Relief

Pension contributions receive tax relief at your marginal rate — every £100 in your pension costs a basic-rate taxpayer £80, and a higher-rate taxpayer just £60. The annual allowance is £60,000 (2026/27).