Pension Contribution Calculator UK
Work out your UK workplace pension contributions. Enter your salary and the employee and employer percentages to see the yearly and monthly amounts paid in.
Last updated 21 June 2026 · Written and reviewed by Mustafa Bilgic
Pension contribution calculator
Auto-enrolment + employer match.
Estimate only — figures use the latest published UK rates. Always confirm on GOV.UK.
How much goes into my workplace pension?
Under auto-enrolment, the minimum total going into your workplace pension is 8% of your qualifying earnings — at least 3% from your employer and 5% from you (which includes tax relief). "Qualifying earnings" are the slice of your pay between £6,240 and £50,270 a year. Many schemes are more generous, and some calculate the percentage on your full salary instead, which puts more in.
On a £32,000 salary with the standard 5% + 3% on qualifying earnings, about £2,061 a year goes into your pension — roughly £1,288 from you and £773 from your employer.
How the calculation works
If you use the qualifying earnings band, contributions are worked out on your salary minus the £6,240 lower limit (capped at £50,270). If you turn that off, the percentages apply to your whole salary, which most workplace and salary-sacrifice schemes do — and that boosts the total. Your employer's contribution is effectively free money on top of your pay, so it is well worth paying in enough to get the full match.
Auto-enrolment minimums
| Source | Minimum |
|---|---|
| You | 5% |
| Employer | 3% |
| Total | 8% |
| Qualifying earnings band | £6,240–£50,270 |
Source: GOV.UK — Workplace pensions.
Tax relief and getting the full match
Pension contributions get tax relief, so for a basic-rate taxpayer every £100 in your pot only costs you £80 from take-home pay — higher-rate taxpayers can claim back even more. Many employers will match extra contributions up to a limit, so paying in more can double your money instantly. To see how the pot grows over your career, use our compound interest calculator, and check your salary first with our hourly wage calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I pay into my pension?
The auto-enrolment minimum is 8% of qualifying earnings — 5% from you and 3% from your employer. Many advisers suggest paying in more if you can, especially up to any extra your employer will match.
What are qualifying earnings?
Qualifying earnings are the part of your pay between £6,240 and £50,270 a year. Under standard auto-enrolment, your contribution percentages are applied to this band rather than your whole salary.
How does pension tax relief work?
The government tops up your contributions. For a basic-rate taxpayer, £100 in your pension costs just £80 of take-home pay. Higher and additional-rate taxpayers can claim back even more through their tax return.
Is my employer's contribution free money?
Yes. Your employer's contribution is paid on top of your salary, so it is effectively extra pay. If your employer matches additional contributions, paying in more can instantly increase the money going into your pot.
Should I use the qualifying earnings band or full salary?
It depends on your scheme. Standard auto-enrolment uses the £6,240–£50,270 band. Many workplace and salary-sacrifice schemes apply the percentages to your full salary, which puts more into your pension.