A UK pension calculator helps you estimate your retirement income from two key sources: the state pension (based on your National Insurance qualifying years) and your workplace pension (based on contributions, growth, and fees). Use this free tool to see how much you could receive in retirement and plan ahead with confidence.
Your Details
Check your record at GOV.UK
Workplace Pension
Nominal rate (before inflation). 5% is typical.
Typical range: 0.5% - 1.5%
State Pension — 2025/26 Rates
Workplace Pension Projection
Year-by-Year Projection
| Age | Year | Contributions | Growth | Fees | Pot Value |
|---|
Uses 2025/26 state pension rates. Workplace projection is an estimate based on assumed growth — actual returns may vary. This is not financial advice.
How to Use the UK Pension Calculator
Planning for retirement is one of the most important financial decisions you will make, yet many people have no clear picture of what their UK pension will look like. This free calculator combines your state pension entitlement (based on National Insurance qualifying years) with a workplace pension projection to give you a realistic estimate of your total retirement income. Whether you are just starting your career or approaching retirement, understanding these numbers helps you make informed decisions about saving, contributing more, or adjusting your retirement timeline.
Step 1: Enter Your Personal Details
Start with your current age and the age you plan to retire. The calculator uses these to determine how many years of growth your workplace pension has, and whether you will reach the state pension age in time. Enter your NI qualifying years to date — you can find this on your Personal Tax Account at GOV.UK. Choose whether you expect to keep contributing to NI until retirement or whether your contributions have already stopped.
Step 2: Enter Workplace Pension Details
Input your current annual salary, existing pension pot value, and the percentage contributions from both you and your employer. The UK auto-enrollment minimum is 5% from the employee and 3% from the employer, totalling 8%. Many employers offer higher matching contributions — check your payslip or pension statement. Set the expected annual growth rate (5% nominal is a standard illustration assumption) and the management fee charged by your pension provider (typically 0.5% to 1.5%).
Step 3: Review Your State Pension
The results show your estimated state pension in weekly, monthly, and annual figures based on 2025/26 rates. The full new state pension is £230.25 per week (£11,973 per year) and requires 35 qualifying NI years. You need a minimum of 10 years for any state pension payment at all. If you continue contributing, the calculator adds future years up to the maximum of 35.
Step 4: Understand Your Workplace Pension Projection
The workplace pension section shows your projected pot at retirement, total contributions paid, and the investment growth component. An annuity estimate converts the pot into an approximate annual income using a rate of roughly £50 per year for every £1,000 of pot. The fee drag figure shows how much management fees will cost you over the full period — this can be eye-opening and may prompt you to consider lower-cost pension funds.
Step 5: Use the Year-by-Year Table
The projection table shows your pension pot growing each year from now until retirement. It breaks down annual contributions, investment growth, fees deducted, and the running pot total. This is useful for spotting how the power of compound growth accelerates in later years and for understanding the long-term impact of fees. Try adjusting the contribution percentage or growth rate to see how small changes compound over decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this UK pension calculator free?
Yes, this pension calculator is completely free with no signup or account needed. All calculations run locally in your browser using JavaScript. Your salary and pension details are never sent to any server or stored anywhere.
Is my financial data private?
Absolutely. Every calculation happens entirely in your web browser. No personal or financial information is transmitted or recorded. You can disconnect from the internet after loading the page and the calculator will still work perfectly.
How is the UK state pension calculated?
The full new state pension for 2025/26 is £230.25 per week (£11,973 per year). You need 35 qualifying National Insurance years for the full amount. With fewer years (minimum 10), you receive a pro-rata amount. For example, 20 qualifying years gives you 20/35 of the full pension.
What counts as a qualifying NI year for state pension?
A qualifying year is one where you paid enough National Insurance contributions through employment, self-employment, or received NI credits. Credits are given for periods of claiming certain benefits, caring for a child under 12, or caring for someone with a disability. You can check your NI record on the GOV.UK website.
What growth rate should I use for my workplace pension?
A nominal growth rate of 5% per year is a common assumption used in pension illustrations, which represents roughly 2-2.5% real growth after inflation. Conservative estimates might use 3-4%, while optimistic projections might use 6-7%. The actual return depends on your fund's investment strategy and market conditions.
How does the annuity estimate work?
The annuity estimate uses an approximate rate of £50 annual income per £1,000 of pension pot at age 66. This is a rough guide — actual annuity rates depend on your age at retirement, health, interest rates, and whether you choose a single or joint life annuity. Many people now use drawdown instead of buying an annuity.
What is the UK state pension age?
The state pension age is currently 66. It is rising to 67 between May 2026 and March 2028. A further increase to 68 is planned for 2044-2046. The calculator adjusts your state pension start date based on these planned changes, but future governments may alter the timetable.
Does the calculator account for pension fees?
Yes, you can set the annual management fee percentage. The default is 0.75%, which is typical for workplace pensions. Fees are deducted from your pot's growth each year, so even small differences in fees compound significantly over decades. The year-by-year table shows the cumulative impact of fees on your final pot.