Useful for payslip checks
Use it to estimate why a pension line changes take-home pay by less than the amount going into the pension.
UK Pension Contribution Calculator
Estimate pension cost, tax relief and take-home impact.
How this pension calculator works
It compares your pay with and without the selected pension contribution method. Net pay arrangements reduce taxable pay before Income Tax. Relief at source assumes the pension provider claims basic-rate relief and adds it to the pot. Salary sacrifice reduces contractual cash pay before estimated PAYE and employee National Insurance.
Important limits
This does not test annual allowance, tapered allowance, employer scheme rules, tax code notices or qualifying earnings rules.
Source notes
Tax relief treatment is based on GOV.UK pension tax relief guidance, checked June 2026. Tax rates use the bundled Clear Calculators rates file.