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UK pay tool

Salary Negotiation Calculator

See exactly how a pay rise, bonus, or extra pension lands in your pocket - not just on paper.

Current

Proposed

Take-home delta

£3393

per year

Pension pot delta

£250

per year

£-per-£ efficiency

68%

of gross uplift hits net pay

Based on the figures provided. Above the £100k PA taper, swapping cash for pension may improve effective rate. This does not prove a specific strategy is right for you.

What a result looks like

£50k -> £55k, both 5% pension, salary sacrifice on. Take-home up ~£2,950/yr, pot up £250/yr. Efficiency 59%.

What we check

When to use this tool

What the result bands mean

> 60% efficient

Strong cash uplift.

40-60%

Higher rate or PA taper biting.

< 40%

PA taper or additional rate - consider pension swap.

Common mistakes

Worked example

£105k -> £110k pure cash. Marginal effective rate ~60% (PA taper) - net up only £2,000.

£105k -> £105k cash + £5k extra pension via sacrifice: net same, pot +£5k. Often more attractive.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the £-per-£ figure not 100%?

Tax + NI + pension take a cut of every uplift. Above £50,270 the cut grows.

Should I take cash or pension?

Above £100k cash is taxed harder by the PA taper - extra pension may appear more efficient. Personal circumstances vary.

How is the signing bonus taxed?

Treated as ordinary income at your marginal rate. We model it added on top of gross.

Does this consider Scotland?

Not yet - rest-of-UK bands only.

Is salary sacrifice available everywhere?

Most large employers offer it for pension, EVs, cycle-to-work. Confirm with HR.

Related guides

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Sources

  • HMRC: Income Tax 2026/27.
  • HMRC: salary sacrifice guidance.

Last verified: 2026-05-03.

Disclaimer: Educational only - not tax or financial advice.