Updated for 2026/27

Pension Tax Relief Calculator 2026/27

Enter your salary and pension contribution to see exactly how much tax relief you receive. The calculator compares your take-home pay with and without the contribution, showing the true cost and effective boost to your pension pot.

How pension tax relief works

When you contribute to a pension, the government adds back the tax you would have paid on that money. For basic rate taxpayers, every £80 you contribute is topped up to £100 automatically. Higher rate taxpayers can claim an additional 20% through Self-Assessment or their tax code.

With salary sacrifice, the saving is even greater because you also avoid National Insurance on the contributed amount. See our salary sacrifice calculator for a direct comparison, or read the salary sacrifice pension guide for the full details.

The annual allowance for pension contributions is £60,000 for 2026/27, or your total annual earnings if lower. Unused allowance from the previous three years can be carried forward.