Workplace Pension Calculator 2026/27 | Auto Enrolment Estimator UK
Auto Enrolment · 2026/27 Rates

Workplace Pension Calculator 2026/27

Estimate your workplace pension pot at retirement — see how employer contributions, tax relief, and investment growth combine to build your future income.

8%
Minimum total contribution
3%
Min employer contribution
£6,240–£50,270
Qualifying earnings band
£10,000
Auto-enrolment trigger
Projected Pension Pot at Retirement
Enter your details →
—
Est. annual retirement income
—
Monthly retirement income
—
Your monthly contribution
—
Employer monthly contrib
2026/27 auto-enrolment thresholds: earnings trigger £10,000; lower qualifying earnings £6,240; upper qualifying earnings £50,270. Minimum contributions: employer 3%, employee 5%, total 8%. Projections use compound growth on annual contributions. Assumes retirement at chosen age. Tax relief at source assumed (20% basic rate). Not financial advice.
For tailored pension advice contact an FCA-regulated adviser or visit Pension Wise (free government guidance, age 50+).

Workplace Pension Estimator

Auto Enrolment · 2026/27 · Defined Contribution

Your Details
Earliest pension access = 57 (from 2028)
Pay Details
Your total gross salary before tax
£
Qualifying earnings: £28,760 (£35,000 − £6,240)
Min 5% of qualifying earnings
%
Min 3% of qualifying earnings
%
Existing Pension
Current value of your pension savings
£
Investment Assumptions
5.0%
1%5% (moderate)10%
2.5%
0%2.5%8%
Annual % of pot taken as income (4% = common rule)
About Workplace Pensions

What Is a Workplace Pension?

A workplace pension is a retirement savings scheme set up by your employer. Since the introduction of auto enrolment in 2012, virtually all UK employers must automatically enrol eligible workers into a qualifying pension scheme and make contributions on their behalf. This means if you are aged 22 or over, earning more than £10,000 per year, you are automatically enrolled. [web:114]

Unlike defined benefit (DB) pensions such as the NHS or Teachers' scheme, most modern workplace pensions are defined contribution (DC) schemes. Your final retirement income depends on how much is contributed (by you and your employer) and how well the investments perform over time — not a guaranteed formula.

How Auto Enrolment Works

If you earn above the £10,000 earnings trigger, your employer must automatically enrol you and contribute at least 3% of your qualifying earnings. You contribute at least 5%, giving a total minimum of 8%. These contributions are calculated only on earnings within the qualifying band — between £6,240 and £50,270 in 2026/27.

For example, a worker earning £35,000 has qualifying earnings of £28,760 (£35,000 minus £6,240). The minimum employer contribution is 3% of £28,760 = £862.80/year. The employee contributes 5% = £1,438/year, effectively costing only £1,150 after basic rate tax relief.

2026/27 Thresholds

Auto-Enrolment Thresholds 2026/27

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed in January 2026 that all auto-enrolment thresholds remain frozen at 2025/26 levels for 2026/27. These thresholds determine who must be enrolled and what portion of salary contributions are calculated on.

ThresholdAnnualMonthlyWeeklyPurpose
Earnings Trigger£10,000£833£192Auto-enrolment required above this
Lower Earnings Limit£6,240£520£120Bottom of qualifying earnings band
Upper Earnings Limit£50,270£4,189£967Top of qualifying earnings band

💼 Key point: Workers earning between £6,240 and £10,000 can opt in to their employer's scheme and — if they do — their employer must contribute at least 3% of their qualifying earnings. Workers earning below £6,240 can ask to join, but the employer is not legally required to contribute.

Contribution Structures

Minimum vs. Enhanced Contributions

While the legal minimum is 3% employer / 5% employee (8% total) on qualifying earnings, many employers offer higher contributions — especially to attract and retain staff. Some calculate contributions on total salary rather than just qualifying earnings, which can significantly increase the total pot over time.

StructureEmployerEmployeeTotalBasis
Legal Minimum3%5%8%Qualifying earnings
Enhanced (common)5%5%10%Total salary
Generous8%5%13%Total salary
Very generous10%5%15%+Total salary

💡 Employer matching: Many employers offer to match employee contributions up to a cap — for example, "we'll match up to 5%." If your employer matches 5% and you contribute 5%, you effectively double your own contribution for free. Always contribute enough to get the maximum employer match — it is one of the best financial decisions you can make.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I opt out of my workplace pension?
Yes — you can opt out within one month of being enrolled and receive a refund of any contributions. However, you lose your employer's contributions and tax relief. Your employer must re-enrol you every three years if you opt out. Opting out is rarely advisable unless you face severe financial hardship — even then, reducing contributions is usually better than opting out entirely.
How does tax relief on pension contributions work?
Most workplace pensions operate "relief at source." Your employer deducts your contribution from net pay, and HMRC adds 20% basic rate tax relief automatically. So a £100 contribution costs you only £80 from take-home pay. Higher rate taxpayers can claim the additional 20–25% relief through self-assessment. Some schemes use "net pay arrangement" where contributions come out of pre-tax pay — no separate claim needed.
When can I access my workplace pension?
The minimum pension access age is currently 55, rising to 57 from 6 April 2028. You cannot access your pension earlier except in cases of serious ill health. Taking your pension before 67 (State Pension age) reduces the number of years of investment growth and means you may need your pension to last longer. Most people take their pension between ages 60 and 67.
What happens to my pension if I change jobs?
Your pension pot stays with your old provider — you do not lose it. You can leave it there, transfer it to your new employer's scheme, or consolidate it into a personal pension (SIPP). You will be automatically enrolled into your new employer's scheme after three months (or sooner). It is worth tracking all old pension pots — the government's Pension Tracing Service can help locate lost pensions.
How much should I save for retirement?
A common rule is to save half your age as a percentage — so a 30-year-old should aim to save 15% of salary (including employer contributions). The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) estimates a "comfortable" retirement needs £43,900/year for a single person. A moderate lifestyle requires £31,700/year. A minimum standard requires £14,400/year. Work backwards from your target income to determine the required pot size.
What is the Annual Allowance for workplace pensions?
The Annual Allowance for 2026/27 is £60,000 — the maximum pension saving (employee + employer contributions + tax relief) that can grow tax-free in a year. Most employees are well below this limit. However, if you earn over £260,000 (adjusted income), the tapered annual allowance reduces it to a minimum of £10,000. Exceeding the allowance triggers a tax charge on the excess at your marginal rate.