Enter your age, retirement age, current pot, monthly contributions, growth and charges to estimate your pension pot at retirement and the income it could provide.
Results are estimates for planning. Check the figures before you make a financial or health decision.
How the Pension pot works
The tool grows your current pot month by month from today to your retirement age. Each month it applies growth, then adds your contribution and your employer’s contribution.
The monthly growth rate is based on your yearly growth rate minus yearly charges, so a 5% growth rate with 0.75% charges grows at about 4.25% a year. The results show the pot at retirement, the same figure in today’s money after allowing for inflation, total paid in, and growth.
Two extra rows give a rough sense of what the pot means. Income at 4% a year applies a common rule of thumb for how much to draw each year. Up to 25% tax-free shows the usual tax-free share, though the rules can change.
This is an illustration, not a forecast. It uses constant growth, contributions and inflation, and does not include the State Pension, tax on withdrawals or changes to your pay.
Worked example
Using the default values in the calculator above:
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Your age | 35 years |
| Retirement age | 67 years |
| Current pension pot | £30000 |
| You pay in each month | £250 |
| Employer pays in each month | £150 |
| Growth before charges | 5 % a year |
| Charges | 0.75 % a year |
| Inflation | 2.5 % a year |
Pot at retirement: £434,637.97
| In today’s money | £197,225.91 |
|---|---|
| Total paid in | £183,600.00 |
| Growth | £251,037.97 |
| Income at 4% a year | £17,385.52 a year |
| Up to 25% tax-free | £108,659.49 |
Tips and common mistakes
Run it at several growth rates, including a low one, to see the range of outcomes. Charges matter more than they look, so try 0.25% against 1% to see the effect over decades.
Look at the figure in today’s money rather than the headline one, since it is easier to compare with what you spend now. Check whether your employer’s contribution rises with your pay. Use Retirement date to find your State Pension age. General information, not financial advice. See Net pay, salary sacrifice or relief at source: how pension contributions affect your pay.
Frequently asked questions
How is my pension pot estimated?
The tool applies growth after charges each month, then adds your contribution and your employer’s. It repeats this until you reach your retirement age.
What does the 4% figure mean?
It is a common rule of thumb for how much of a pot you might draw each year. It is not a guarantee, and your actual income depends on how you take your pension.
Does the result include the State Pension?
No. It covers only the pot you enter and the contributions you add. The State Pension is separate.