Pension Pot Calculator
Project your pot to retirement, add the state pension, subtract the tax — one honest number for what your retirement income could look like, and what the parties' pension policies do to it.
Your pension
The political scaffolding under your pension
Three policies decide what this projection is worth. The triple lock sets how fast the state-pension floor rises (every party currently backs it; every fiscal watchdog questions its cost). The frozen personal allowance decides how much of your retirement income is taxed — the collision Triple Lock Plus is designed to prevent. And the state pension age — 67 by 2028, with 68 under review — decides when the floor arrives at all. From April 2027, unused pots also fall into inheritance tax, which changes what "leave it invested" means for estates.
Frequently asked questions
How big a pension pot do I need to retire?
A common rule of thumb: multiply the yearly income you want (on top of the £11,973 state pension) by 25 — so £15,000 a year of private income needs roughly a £375,000 pot at a 4% drawdown. The calculator shows what your current savings trajectory delivers.
Is my pension income taxed?
Yes — pension income above the £12,570 personal allowance is taxed like a salary (though 25% of a pot can usually be taken tax-free, not modelled here). With the allowance frozen until 2031 and the state pension rising, more of every pension is taxed each year.
What is the 4% rule?
A planning heuristic: drawing 4% of your pot each year has historically had a good chance of lasting a 30-year retirement. It's a starting point, not a guarantee — sequence risk, fees and inflation all matter.