Pension Projection Calculator

Calculate how much your pension pot will grow based on your current savings and contributions. Uses compound growth and the 4% withdrawal rule for sustainable retirement income.

Total across all pension pots
Check your payslip for employer contribution
Before State Pension is added

Projected Pension Pot

£0
At retirement

Tax-Free Lump Sum

£0
25% of pot

Monthly Income (4%)

£0
From pension

+ State Pension

£958
Per month (2025/26)

Contribution Breakdown

Component Amount

Pension Target Calculator

Calculate how much you need to save to achieve your desired retirement income. Based on the 4% safe withdrawal rule used in UK pension planning.

Total income needed per year

Pension Pot Needed

£0
Using 4% rule

Gap to Target

£0
Additional savings needed

Monthly Savings Needed

£0
To reach target

Early Retirement Calculator

Planning to retire before State Pension age? Calculate how much extra you'll need to bridge the gap until your State Pension kicks in.

How much you need to live on per year
Pensions + ISAs + savings

Gap Years

0
Before State Pension

Bridge Fund Needed

£0
To cover gap years

Total Savings Needed

£0
For early retirement

State Pension Estimator

Estimate your UK State Pension based on your National Insurance record. Full State Pension requires 35 qualifying years.

Check at gov.uk/check-state-pension

Weekly Amount

£0
Based on NI years

Monthly Amount

£0
Before tax

Annual Amount

£0
Per year

NI Years Progress

UK Pension Rates 2025/26

Pension Type Weekly Annual
Full New State Pension £221.20 £11,502
Per qualifying NI year £6.32 £328
Minimum years for any pension 10 years
Full pension requires 35 years
Triple Lock Guarantee: State Pension increases each April by the highest of: inflation (CPI), average earnings growth, or 2.5%. This protects your pension against rising costs.

Pension Savings Targets by Age

Use these guidelines to check if you're on track. The multiple is based on your annual salary.

  • Age 30
    1x annual salary (e.g., £30k salary = £30k pension)
  • Age 40
    3x annual salary (e.g., £40k salary = £120k pension)
  • Age 50
    6x annual salary (e.g., £50k salary = £300k pension)
  • Age 60
    8x annual salary (e.g., £55k salary = £440k pension)
  • Age 67
    10x annual salary for comfortable retirement

PLSA Retirement Living Standards 2024

The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association defines three retirement living standards:

Standard Single Couple Pot Needed*
Minimum
Covers basics, limited flexibility
£14,400 £22,400 £72k / £272k
Moderate
More security and flexibility
£31,300 £43,100 £495k / £790k
Comfortable
Financial freedom, luxuries
£43,100 £59,000 £790k / £1.19m

*Pension pot needed assumes full State Pension and 4% withdrawal rule

Frequently Asked Questions

The 4% rule means you can withdraw 4% of your retirement savings annually without running out of money over a 30-year retirement. For example, a £500,000 pension pot provides £20,000 per year (£1,667/month) sustainable income. This rule is used alongside UK State Pension income for comprehensive retirement planning.

The full new State Pension in 2025/26 is £221.20 per week (£11,502.40 per year). To receive the full amount, you need 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions. The State Pension age is currently 66, rising to 67 by 2028. You can check your State Pension forecast at gov.uk.

A common guideline is to have 3x your annual salary saved in your pension by age 40. For example, if you earn £40,000, aim for £120,000 in pension savings. By age 50, target 6x your salary, and by age 60, aim for 8x your salary. These include workplace pension contributions and any personal pensions or SIPPs.

Yes, you can access private pensions from age 55 (rising to 57 from April 2028). You can take 25% as a tax-free lump sum, with the rest taxed as income. However, State Pension cannot be accessed until State Pension age (currently 66, rising to 67 by 2028). Early retirement requires substantial savings to bridge this gap.

RH

Richard Hughes, Chartered Financial Planner

FPFS, Chartered MCSI | Fellow of the Personal Finance Society

Richard is a Chartered Financial Planner with over 20 years of experience in UK retirement planning. He specialises in pension advice, drawdown strategies, and helping clients achieve financial independence. Richard holds the FPFS (Fellow of the Personal Finance Society) and is a Chartered Member of the CISI.