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PensionModel your workplace (auto-enrolment) pension. Enter salary, your contribution rate and your employer's rate. See total pot in retirement, your real take-home impact, and the cost of staying at the minimum vs opting up.
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If you earn over £10,000, your employer must enrol you and contribute at least 3% on earnings between £6,240 and £50,270. You must contribute at least 5%. Total minimum: 8% of qualifying earnings.
Many employers go higher — match up to 6% or 10% is common at larger firms. Not opting up to the match is leaving free money on the table.
Pension contributions get tax relief at your marginal rate. For a basic-rate taxpayer, a £100 pension contribution costs £80 in take-home. For a higher-rate taxpayer, £60. For additional rate, £55.
If your employer matches contributions up to 6%, going from 5% to 6% doubles your effective "pay rise". Over 30 years, this is often £50k+ extra pot.
Yes but you lose employer contributions and tax relief. Only consider if you have serious short-term debt.
Usually yes — saves NICs on top of income tax. Ask your employer if available.
The band between £6,240 and £50,270 (2026/27). Minimum contributions are a percentage of this band, not of total salary.
Projections assume a fixed annual return — real markets do not return the same figure every year. Capital at risk. Past performance does not guarantee future results. General information only, not personalised financial advice.