UrbiTools

Pension Contribution Calculator UK 2026/27

Work out your workplace pension contributions under auto-enrolment — the 8% minimum on qualifying earnings, split between you, your employer and tax relief.

Calculate your pension contributions

£1,900.80 per year
£158.40 per month into your pension

Qualifying earnings: £23,760.00 (salary between £6,240 and £50,270). You pay £1,188.00 a year (£99.00/month); your employer pays £712.80 a year (£59.40/month).

Under relief at source, about 20% of your share is basic-rate tax relief, so your net cost is around £950.40 a year — the rest is topped up by the government. Net-pay schemes give the relief automatically at your marginal rate instead. If your scheme uses full pensionable pay rather than qualifying earnings, contributions will be higher.

How auto-enrolment contributions are worked out

Take your salary, subtract the £6,240 lower limit, and cap the result at £44,030 (£50,270 − £6,240). That is your qualifying earnings. The statutory minimum is 8% of that figure: 3% employer, 5% employee including tax relief.

Worked example: on £30,000, qualifying earnings are £23,760. The minimum total is £1,900.80 a year: £712.80 from your employer and £1,188 from you, of which about £237.60 is basic-rate tax relief — so £950.40 actually leaves your take-home pay. For what that means for your monthly pay, try the take-home pay calculator.

Pension contribution questions

What are the minimum auto-enrolment contributions?
At least 8% of qualifying earnings in total: at least 3% from your employer and the remaining 5% from you, including tax relief. If your employer pays more than 3%, your share falls by the same amount.
What are qualifying earnings?
The slice of your pay between £6,240 and £50,270 a year in 2026/27 (weekly £120–£967). Earnings below £6,240 and above £50,270 are excluded from the statutory minimum calculation — so 8% of qualifying earnings is less than 8% of your full salary. Some schemes instead use your full pensionable pay; check which basis yours uses.
How does tax relief work on my contribution?
Under relief at source, your 5% share is really 4% from you plus 1% from the government: you pay 80% and your pension scheme claims the basic-rate 20% tax relief for you. Higher-rate taxpayers claim the extra relief through self-assessment. Under a net-pay scheme, your contribution comes off before tax instead, so the relief is automatic at your marginal rate.
Who must be auto-enrolled?
Workers aged 22 to State Pension age, working in the UK and earning over £10,000 a year must be automatically enrolled. Workers earning £6,240–£10,000 can opt in, and their employer must then contribute too. You can opt out within one month and get your contributions refunded.
Can I pay more than the minimum?
Yes — you can usually pay additional voluntary contributions, and some employers match extra payments up to a limit. Higher contributions are the simplest way to close a retirement gap, and they also reduce your taxable income under a net-pay scheme.

Guide & related calculators

Take-Home Pay CalculatorSalary after income tax, National Insurance and pension for 2026/27.Maternity Pay Calculator90% for 6 weeks, then £194.32 a week or 90% for 33 weeks.Sick Pay CalculatorStatutory sick pay from day one: £123.25 a week or 80% of earnings.Holiday Pay Calculator5.6 weeks' entitlement and 12.07% accrual for irregular hours.Redundancy Pay CalculatorStatutory redundancy pay with 2026/27 rates and year-by-year breakdown.

Sources & official guidance

Estimate only — not legal or financial advice. Rates: 2026/27. See our disclaimer.