Mortgages & Money2 min check

Retirement Savings Calculator

Estimate the size of your pension pot at retirement, plus a rough sustainable income using the 4% rule.

Short answer

Retirement savings projection: future pot = current pot × (1+r)^n + monthly contribution × [((1+r)^n − 1) ÷ r], where r is monthly real return and n is months. Real returns of 4–5%/year above inflation are a reasonable long-term assumption for a balanced portfolio.

Step 1 of 20%

Calculation method, coverage and version

Inputs used: Current age, Target retirement age, Current pension pot, Gross annual salary, Your contribution, Employer contribution, Expected annual growth (after fees).
Calculation approach: The calculator applies the rules and assumptions described in “How it works” to the values you enter. Rounding can cause small differences from an official or provider calculation.
Coverage: Mortgages & Money. UK nations, tax treatment, local rules and provider criteria can differ; check the official sources shown below before acting.
Content version: No page-specific review date is currently published. Treat the result as indicative and verify current rules independently.

Not included unless explicitly requested: personal circumstances not entered, provider discretion, future rule changes, professional fees and case-specific exceptions. Read the full calculator methodology.

Primary sources and official verification

Use these official sources to verify current rules before acting. Coverage and dates can differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

See the sitewide source policy.

How it works

Standard compound interest with regular contributions. We project in 'real' (today's money) terms so the answer is meaningful for retirement planning.

Worked example

Age 35, £30k pot, £400/m contributions, retire at 67 (32 years), 5% real return → ~£540,000 in today's money.

Who should use this

•Adults checking long-term pension/ISA progress
•People weighing pension vs ISA splits
•Anyone setting a retirement target

Common mistakes

×Using nominal returns without subtracting inflation
×Forgetting employer pension match — often 'free money'
×Stopping contributions during salary rises instead of increasing them
×Switching to cash too early — bonds + equities still grow in retirement

Frequently asked questions

Pension or ISA?▾

Pension wins on tax (relief in, taxed out at lower rate). ISA wins on flexibility (access anytime). Most people benefit from both.

How much should I save into pension?▾

Rule of thumb: half your starting age as a % of salary. Start at 25 → 12.5%. Start at 40 → 20%.

What return should I assume?▾

5% real (above inflation) for global equities long-term. Use 3–4% for a more conservative balanced portfolio.

Related calculators

Pension Gap →Compound Interest →ISA Calculator →Pension Drawdown →