Pension Contribution Calculator
Calculate pension or retirement contributions, employer match, and tax relief.
Rates & sources
UK tax rates and thresholds, as published by HMRC. Scotland and Wales have devolved rates for income tax and property transactions.
Source: HMRC — Tax rates — figures refreshed at the start of each tax year.
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When to use this calculator
- Before accepting a pay change, bonus, pension contribution, or salary-sacrifice option.
- When you want to compare employed, self-employed, or dividend-based income scenarios.
- When you need a simple take-home estimate before running payroll or filing returns.
Worked example: £80,000 salary, 10% personal contribution
Use these sample inputs as a quick scenario test, then change one variable at a time to compare outcomes.
Gross salary
£80,000
Employee contribution (10%)
£8,000
Income tax saved (40% on £8,000)
£3,200
Net cost to employee
£4,800
Employer matches (3%)
£2,400
Total annual pension contribution
£10,400
Net cost £4,800 buys £10,400 of pension growth — a 117% match before any investment return. Salary sacrifice on the same contribution adds another £160 NI saving.
How to read your results
Your Contribution
Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how the key drivers affect the final outcome.
Employer
Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how the key drivers affect the final outcome.
Total
This is the headline outcome, but it is most useful when viewed alongside the supporting metrics below it.
Tax Relief
Review this figure alongside your gross income so you can understand the true cost of deductions.
Net Cost
Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how the key drivers affect the final outcome.
Common mistakes
- !Entering gross income when you really want take-home pay, or vice versa.
- !Ignoring pension contributions, deductions, or local tax rules that change the result.
- !Comparing monthly and annual figures without standardising them first.
What to do next
- Check the same scenario with related pay or deduction calculators to see the full picture.
- Keep a copy of the assumptions you used so you can compare next tax year or pay period accurately.
- Read the related guides below if you are choosing between multiple income or deduction options.
Go deeper — 2 guides reference this calculator
- 8m
UK Salary Sacrifice Guide: Pension, EV & Cycle-to-Work Savings
How UK salary sacrifice works — NI and tax savings on pension contributions, EV lease schemes, cycle-to-work, and the pitfalls around mortgage applications and statutory pay.
- 8m
HICBC Explained: Child Benefit, £60,000 Threshold & the Hidden 60% Rate
How the High Income Child Benefit Charge works — the £60k–£80k taper band, adjusted net income, why the effective marginal rate often exceeds 60%, and planning tactics.
Frequently asked
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