Projected pension pot at 67: £467,085. Tax-free lump sum £116,771.
≈ £187,332 in today's money — what £467,085 in 37 years would buy now, after 2.5% inflation.
Paying in £200 plus £150 from your employer a month from age 30 to 67 could build a pot of about £467,085 (around £187,332 in today's money), with £116,771 of it available tax-free.
Estimated retirement income
| Drawdown rate | Per month (before tax) | ≈ today's money |
| 4% withdrawal (illustrative) | £1,557/mo | £624/mo |
| 3.5% drawdown (cautious) | £1,362/mo | £546/mo |
A rough guide to the income your pot could provide — taking 4% (or 3.5% for a more cautious approach) of it a year, before tax. You can usually take 25% as a tax-free lump sum first. This does not include the State Pension — check your forecast at gov.uk.
Relief at source: you pay from your take-home pay and 20% basic-rate relief is added to your pot.
Where your pot comes from
Pot growth over time
| Age | Pension pot |
| 30 | £10,000 |
| 35 | £38,384 |
| 40 | £73,475 |
| 45 | £116,859 |
| 50 | £170,494 |
| 55 | £236,802 |
| 60 | £318,780 |
| 65 | £420,130 |
| 67 | £467,085 |
After 0.75% annual charges, your pot grows at a net 4.25% a year. Those charges cost you about £95,665 over 37 years.
What if you changed your plan?
| Scenario | Projected pot | vs your plan |
| Your plan | £467,085 | — |
| Add £50/month to your contribution | £531,552 | +£64,466 |
| Retire 5 years later (age 72) | £603,479 | +£136,394 |
| If growth were 3% a year | £292,804 | −£174,281 |
| If growth were 7% a year | £777,248 | +£310,163 |
Each row re-runs the projection with a single change, so you can see what moves the needle most.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I pay into my pension?
A common rule of thumb is to pay a percentage of your salary equal to half your age when you start — so 15% from age 30. Auto-enrolment minimums are 8% of qualifying earnings (3% employer, 5% you including tax relief), but most people need to save more for a comfortable retirement. Always aim to get the full employer match first, as that is free money.
How does pension tax relief work?
When you pay into a pension you get tax relief at your highest rate. A basic-rate taxpayer paying £80 has it topped up to £100 (20% relief); higher and additional-rate taxpayers can claim back more through Self Assessment. This calculator adds basic-rate relief to your contributions automatically.
What is the annual allowance?
You can usually pay in up to £60,000 a year (2026/27) across all pensions and still get tax relief, or 100% of your earnings if lower. Very high earners have a tapered allowance, and once you start drawing income flexibly the money purchase annual allowance of £10,000 can apply.
How much retirement income will my pot give me?
A 4% withdrawal is shown here as an illustration, not a guarantee of sustainability — how long a pot actually lasts depends on how long you live, your investment mix, charges, inflation and the order of investment returns. You can usually take 25% of your pot tax-free from age 55 (rising to 57 from 2028), capped at the £268,275 lump sum allowance, with the rest taxed as income. The State Pension is paid on top.
Are the projections guaranteed?
No. The projection assumes a constant growth rate and contributions until retirement. Real investment returns vary year to year and are not guaranteed, inflation reduces the spending power of the final figure, and charges reduce growth. Treat it as an illustration, not a promise.
Related calculators & guides
Sources & assumptions
Last reviewed June 2026 against official rates · How we calculate →
This is an illustrative projection assuming constant contributions and a steady annual return. Real investment returns vary and can fall as well as rise. The projected pot is a future (nominal) figure; the “today's money” value above discounts it for inflation. The 25% tax-free lump sum is capped at £268,275. This is not financial advice — for retirement planning, consult an FCA-regulated adviser.