UK pension tool
See your take-home and pension pot at every contribution rate from 3% to 15%. Highlights the employer-match sweet spot.
Your employer match cap is 500%. Contributing up to that point usually appears the most efficient. Beyond it, every extra £ into the pot costs more out of pocket.
| EE % | You pay | Employer adds | Take-home | Pot added / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3% | £1350 | £1350 | £36298 | £2700 |
| 4% | £1800 | £1800 | £36424 | £3600 |
| 5% | £2250 | £2250 | £36550 | £4500 |
| 6% | £2700 | £2250 | £36676 | £4950 |
| 7% | £3150 | £2250 | £36802 | £5400 |
| 8% | £3600 | £2250 | £36928 | £5850 |
| 9% | £4050 | £2250 | £37054 | £6300 |
| 10% | £4500 | £2250 | £37180 | £6750 |
| 11% | £4950 | £2250 | £37306 | £7200 |
| 12% | £5400 | £2250 | £37432 | £7650 |
| 13% | £5850 | £2250 | £37558 | £8100 |
| 14% | £6300 | £2250 | £37684 | £8550 |
| 15% | £6750 | £2250 | £37810 | £9000 |
Highlighted rows are within the employer match. Based on the figures provided. Not financial advice.
£45k salary, employer 1:1 to 5%. At 5% you pay £2,250 net, employer adds £2,250, pot grows £4,500 / yr. At 6% pot growth slows because match maxed out.
Within match
Most efficient zone - free money from employer.
Beyond match
Still tax-efficient but no extra employer contribution.
High earners
Watch the £100k PA taper and £60k annual allowance.
Salary £45,000. Employer matches 1:1 up to 5%.
At 3% (auto-enrol min): you pay £1,350, employer adds £1,350, pot £2,700.
At 5%: pot £4,500. Best ratio of free money.
At 8%: pot £4,275 employee + £2,250 employer = £6,525, but extra 3% costs £1,350 of net pay for £1,350 of pot.
Total 8% of qualifying earnings - typically 5% employee, 3% employer.
Generally it appears worth at least matching - it is effectively additional pay. Personal circumstances vary.
Pension comes off gross pay before tax and NI. Reduces both, often the most efficient method.
Annual allowance is £60,000 in most cases (2026/27). Tapered above £260k adjusted income.
Most schemes allow changes monthly or quarterly - check with payroll.
Sources
Last verified: 2026-05-03.
Disclaimer: Educational only - not financial advice. Consider speaking to a regulated adviser.