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UK · 2025/26

Pension Contribution Calculator

Calculate how much to contribute to your pension to reach your retirement income goal. Model employer contributions, tax relief and growth to plan retirement.

Last reviewed: 22 November 2025Source: HMRC — Tax ratesUpdated every: tax year
Pension Contribution Calculator · UKTax & Salary

Your Contribution

£2,000.00

Employer

£1,200.00

Total

£3,200.00

Tax Relief

£400.00

Net Cost

£1,600.00

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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Full 2025/26 tax summary as a PDF

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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.
  • When you are approaching the £100,000 income level and want to understand the personal allowance taper effect.
  • When you are planning a salary sacrifice arrangement and need to see the net pay impact before agreeing terms.

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 changes in the key inputs drive the final outcome. If the figure surprises you, isolate one variable at a time and rerun the calculation to identify which assumption is responsible.

Employer

Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how changes in the key inputs drive the final outcome. If the figure surprises you, isolate one variable at a time and rerun the calculation to identify which assumption is responsible.

Total

This is the headline outcome of the calculation, but it is most useful when read alongside the supporting metrics below it rather than in isolation. Try changing one input at a time and watching how this total moves to understand which driver has the biggest impact.

Tax Relief

Review this figure alongside your gross income so you can understand the true cost of deductions and plan around any thresholds before the tax year closes. If the figure looks higher than expected, check whether any pension or gift-aid contributions could reduce your taxable income.

Net Cost

Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how changes in the key inputs drive the final outcome. If the figure surprises you, isolate one variable at a time and rerun the calculation to identify which assumption is responsible.

Method & assumptionsAuthoritative sources

This calculator estimates the effect of pension contributions on your gross pay, taxable income, and take-home pay. It models both standard relief-at-source contributions and salary sacrifice arrangements for the 2024/25 tax year, using Income Tax and Class 1 National Insurance thresholds as published by HMRC.

The tool assumes you are enrolled in a registered UK pension scheme and have not triggered the Money Purchase Annual Allowance or Tapered Annual Allowance. It does not model defined benefit (final salary) schemes, which have their own contribution and benefit structures. Scottish Income Tax rates are not included. Figures are illustrative only — your actual pension statements and payslip deductions may differ based on your specific scheme rules, employer matching policy, and tax code. Consult your pension provider or an independent financial adviser for personalised guidance.

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.
  • !Overlooking the National Insurance threshold changes that apply mid-year when rates or bands are adjusted in a Budget.
  • !Assuming a salary sacrifice benefit reduces take-home pay by the full gross amount, rather than only the after-tax cost.

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.
  • If you are self-employed, run the self-employment tax calculator alongside this result to compare the net position against employed income.
  • Check whether increasing your pension contribution by even one or two percent changes the take-home significantly — use the pension calculator next.

Go deeper — 2 guides reference this calculator

Frequently asked

The standard annual allowance is £60,000 or 100% of your relevant UK earnings, whichever is lower. Contributions from you, your employer, and any third party all count towards this limit, and unused allowance from the previous 3 tax years can be carried forward if you were a scheme member in those years.

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