How to use the pension pot calculator
- 1 Enter your age and the age you plan to retire.
- 2 Enter your current pension pot and salary.
- 3 Enter your and your employer's contributions as a percentage of salary.
- 4 Set the expected growth and fees, then read your projected pot.
Worked example
A 35-year-old with £30,000 saved, a £40,000 salary and 8% total contributions. With 5% growth less 0.5% fees, the pot could reach about £405,000 at 67, or roughly £184,000 in today's money. A 4% withdrawal would give about £16,200 a year before tax.
Workplace pensions and access age
- Auto-enrolment minimum: 8% of qualifying earnings between £6,240 and £50,270, with at least 3% from your employer.
- Match: many employers pay more if you do; taking the full match is the best return available.
- Access age: you can usually take money from 55, rising to 57 from April 2028.
- Old pots: track lost pensions with the government's Pension Tracing Service before combining them; check for valuable guarantees first.
Add the State Pension to see your total retirement income, then plan withdrawals with the Pension Lump Sum Calculator.
Features
Year-by-year projection
Contributions and growth added every year until retirement.
Salary growth
Pay assumed to rise by 2% a year.
Today's money
Pot adjusted for 2.5% inflation.
Retirement income
Tax-free lump sum and 4% drawdown income.
When to use it
Auto-enrolment
See what the minimum 8% contribution builds. Add your State Pension with the State Pension Calculator.
Increasing contributions
Test the effect of paying 1% or 2% more. Plan tax-free cash with the Pension Lump Sum Calculator.
Retiring early
Compare retiring at 60, 65 or 67. Boost it with the Pension Salary Sacrifice Calculator.
Fee comparison
See how fees eat into your pot. Compare with the ISA Calculator.
Related Savings and Investing tasks
Frequently asked questions
How much should I have in my pension?
A common rule of thumb is to aim for a pot that, with the State Pension, gives around two-thirds of your pre-retirement income. Retirement living standards from the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association suggest different targets for minimum, moderate and comfortable lifestyles.
What are the auto-enrolment minimum contributions?
At least 8% of qualifying earnings between £6,240 and £50,270: 3% from your employer and 5% from you, including tax relief.
What growth rate should I use?
Many providers use 2% to 8% a year before inflation depending on the investment mix. A balanced fund of shares and bonds might be assumed at around 5%.
How much do fees matter?
A lot over time. A 1% yearly fee instead of 0.5% can reduce a pot by tens of thousands of pounds over 30 years.
What does today's money mean?
The projected pot adjusted for inflation, so you can compare it with prices now.
When can I access my pension?
From age 55, rising to 57 from April 2028, unless you have a protected pension age.
What is the 4% rule?
A guide that withdrawing about 4% of your pot each year gives a reasonable chance of the money lasting 30 years. It is not guaranteed.
Does this include the State Pension?
No. The full new State Pension is £241.30 a week for 2026/27, about £12,548 a year, on top of your private pension.
Should I combine old pensions?
Combining can make pensions easier to manage and cut fees, but check for valuable guarantees or exit fees first.
What is Pension Wise?
A free, impartial government service from MoneyHelper that explains your options for defined contribution pensions from age 50.
Is the projection guaranteed?
No. Investments can fall as well as rise, and real returns will vary from year to year.
Results are estimates based on the official rates linked above. Confirm important figures with the issuing authority or a qualified adviser before you act on them.
Built and reviewed by Hamza Farooq, founder and lead developer
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