Continue your plan
Useful next calculations
Rates & sources2026/27
2026/27 pension annual-allowance planning thresholds. This does not calculate threshold income, adjusted income, carry-forward eligibility or any annual-allowance charge.
| Band / figure | Rate |
|---|---|
| Standard annual allowance | £60,000 |
| Threshold-income test | over £200,000 |
| Adjusted-income taper starts | over £260,000 |
| Minimum / MPAA used | £10,000 |
Source: GOV.UK — pension annual allowance — source checked for 2026/27.
When to use this calculator
- Before choosing between saving, investing or changing a contribution.
- When you want to compare cautious, base and optimistic return assumptions.
- When you need a projection before making a longer-term decision.
- When you want to see whether starting earlier or contributing more changes the outcome more.
A realistic UK planning example
Use these sample inputs as a quick scenario test, then change one variable at a time to compare outcomes.
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Planned pension input for the tax year (£) | 10 years |
| Threshold income (£) | £35,000 |
| Adjusted income (£) | £35,000 |
| Has the Money Purchase Annual Allowance (MPAA) been triggered? | No / not sure |
After entering these figures, review annual allowance used for planning, confirmed carry-forward entered and planning capacity together rather than in isolation. Then rerun the tool with one input adjusted.
How to read your results
Annual Allowance Used for Planning
The figure produced by this output for the inputs you entered. Change one variable at a time if you want to see what drives it.
Confirmed Carry-forward Entered
The figure produced by this output for the inputs you entered. Change one variable at a time if you want to see what drives it.
Planning Capacity
The figure produced by this output for the inputs you entered. Change one variable at a time if you want to see what drives it.
Remaining Capacity
The figure produced by this output for the inputs you entered. Change one variable at a time if you want to see what drives it.
Above Planning Capacity
The figure produced by this output for the inputs you entered. Change one variable at a time if you want to see what drives it.
Method & assumptionsAuthoritative sources
This UK-only planning tool applies the published 2026/27 £60,000 annual allowance, stated £200,000 threshold-income and £260,000 adjusted-income taper tests, and the £10,000 floor. It cannot determine threshold income, adjusted income, pension input amount or a tax charge from a payslip alone.
Carry-forward is deliberately entered by you rather than inferred. Scheme membership, unused allowance for the previous three tax years, the MPAA and defined-benefit pension rules can change the outcome. If the result matters for a contribution or a Self Assessment return, check the current HMRC guidance and your scheme information or obtain professional advice.
Official references
Common mistakes
- !Assuming a constant return without checking a more conservative growth rate.
- !Forgetting ongoing contributions, fees or tax wrappers where relevant.
- !Focusing only on the final balance instead of the path required to reach it.
- !Ignoring the drag of charges over a long period.
What to do next
- Test a cautious, expected and optimistic growth rate.
- Compare this result with related savings or retirement tools before committing more money.
- Consider charges and any tax wrapper that applies.
- If the projected balance falls short, increase the contribution until the result meets your goal.
Frequently asked
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