About the Pension Calculator
This pension calculator projects how much you might have saved when you retire and how much income that could provide. Enter your age, the age you plan to retire, your current pension pot, your salary and how much you and your employer pay in as a percentage. Add the investment return you expect, how fast your salary will grow and how long the money needs to last. The calculator adds your contributions each year, grows the pot, and then works out the level yearly and monthly income it could pay out until your chosen age. It also shows the 4 percent rule figure for comparison.
Updated October 2026
How to use the Pension Calculator
- 1Enter your current age, the age you plan to retire and the age you want the money to last until.
- 2Enter your pension pot today and your yearly salary.
- 3Enter the percentage you and your employer each pay in.
- 4Enter the investment return before and during retirement, and how fast your salary rises.
- 5Read the pot at retirement and the income it could pay.
Why starting early matters
Pension savings grow by compounding, so the early years do the heaviest lifting. Saving 4,000 a year for 35 years at 5 percent builds about 362,000, while saving the same for only 25 years builds about 191,000 despite paying in 40,000 less. Use the calculator with a later retirement age or a later start to see the difference in your own case.
Ways to improve the outcome
- Pay in at least enough to receive the full employer match
- Increase contributions every time you get a pay rise
- Keep investment fees low
- Consider working a year or two longer
- Check your pot at least once a year
Related tools
The Retirement Calculator looks at spending and savings together, the Annuity Calculator shows how a pot pays out, the Compound Interest Calculator projects growth, the Roth IRA Calculator compares tax-free growth and the Inflation Calculator adjusts for prices. This is an estimate, not financial advice.
Features
- Pension pot at retirement
- Employee and employer contributions
- Salary growth each year
- Level income until the age you choose
- Growth separated from contributions
- The 4 percent rule for comparison
- Runs in your browser
Frequently asked questions
How much pension will I have at retirement?
It depends on your contributions, the return and how long you save. Paying in 9 percent of a 55,000 salary for 30 years with a 5 percent return, and a rising salary, can build a pot of several hundred thousand. Enter your numbers to see your own estimate.
How much should I pay into a pension?
Many advisers suggest saving 10 to 15 percent of your income, including any employer contribution, from your twenties. Starting later means a higher percentage. If your employer matches contributions, pay in at least enough to get the full match, since it is free money.
What is the 4 percent rule?
It is a guideline that you can withdraw about 4 percent of your pot in the first year of retirement, then adjust for inflation, and have a good chance that the money lasts about 30 years. It is a rough check, not a promise. The calculator shows that figure next to the income it works out.
Are the figures in today's money?
No. They are in future money, so prices will probably be higher by then. To see what the income might buy, reduce it by the expected inflation, or use a lower investment return that is after inflation. The Inflation Calculator helps.
Does this include the state pension?
No. Government pensions, tax and fees are not included. Add any state pension you expect to the income shown. Pension rules and tax relief differ by country and change, so check your own scheme.
What return should I assume?
Be cautious. Long-term stock-heavy portfolios have returned more, but results vary and can be negative for years. Many planners use 4 to 6 percent before retirement and less afterwards. Try a low and a high case to see the range.