Pension Pot Calculator UK 2026/27
Project your pension pot at retirement from what you have now and what goes in each month, in today's money, with your 25% tax-free lump sum and the State Pension.
- In today's money
- £0
- Tax-free lump sum
- £0
- Paid in
- £0
- Growth
- £0
- Full new State Pension
- £0
| Age | Paid in | Pot |
|---|
How we worked this out
- Turn the yearly growth rate into its monthly equivalent.
- Each month until you retire, grow the pot and add the monthly payment (yours, your employer’s and tax relief).
- Divide by inflation over the same years to show the pot in today’s money. The tax-free lump sum is 25% of the pot, capped at the £268,275 lump sum allowance.
Rates for 2026/27, last checked 29 October 2026.
How the projection works
Each month, the pot grows by the monthly equivalent of your yearly growth rate, then the monthly payment is added. That runs until your retirement age. Because prices rise over time, the “today’s money” figure shows what the pot would buy at today’s prices.
What you can take at retirement
- Tax-free lump sum: usually 25% of your pot, up to £268,275 in total across your pensions.
- The rest: taken as income (drawdown or an annuity) and taxed like a salary.
- State Pension: on top of your own pot. The full new State Pension is £241.30 a week for 2026/27.
Things this calculator does not include
- Charges beyond what you take off the growth rate, and the ups and downs of investment returns.
- Pay rises, so contributions stay the same each month.
- Defined benefit (final salary) pensions, which pay a set income instead of building a pot.
- Your State Pension age and forecast. Check yours on GOV.UK.
For free, impartial guidance, try Pension Wise if you’re 50 or over. Sources: lump sum allowance, new State Pension, minimum pension age.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I take tax-free from my pension?
Usually up to 25% of each pension as a tax-free lump sum, capped at the lump sum allowance of £268,275 across all your pensions unless you have a protected allowance. The rest is taxed as income when you take it.
How much is the State Pension in 2026/27?
The full new State Pension is £241.30 a week, about £12,548 a year. You usually need 35 qualifying years of National Insurance for the full amount and at least 10 to get any.
When can I take my pension?
Most private and workplace pensions can be taken from 55. That rises to 57 from 6 April 2028. State Pension age is separate and depends on when you were born.
What growth rate should I use?
Nobody knows future returns. Use a cautious rate after charges and try a few, such as 3%, 5% and 7%, to see the range. Check your pension provider's own projection too.
Should I include tax relief in the monthly amount?
Yes. Enter everything that lands in your pot each month: your contribution, your employer's and any tax relief added by the provider.