Pension Growth Calculator
Compound growth · monthly contributions · updates as you type
| Year | Opening | Contributions | Investment return | Closing | YoY |
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How to use this pension growth calculator
Enter what your pension is worth today, what goes in each month (include your employer's contribution and the tax relief your provider adds — that is what actually compounds), and pick a growth assumption. The chart shows the pot month by month, and the annual table breaks each year into contributions and investment return so you can see the moment compound growth overtakes what you pay in — for most people the psychological turning point of pension saving.
Choosing a sensible growth rate
No one knows future returns, which is why the scenario panel always shows 5%, 7% and 9% side by side. A diversified pension fund has historically delivered somewhere in that range before inflation, but sequence of returns, fees and your mix of shares and bonds all matter. Planning on the conservative figure and being pleasantly surprised beats the reverse. Remember the results are in nominal terms — knock roughly 2–3% off the growth rate if you want the answer in today's money.
Once you have a projected pot, the natural next question is what income it could support — our drawdown calculator takes it from there. And if you are deciding how much to contribute, the SIPP tax relief calculator shows what each £1 of pension saving really costs you after tax relief.
Frequently asked questions
What growth rate should I assume for my pension?
Long-run global equity returns have averaged roughly 5–7% a year after inflation, but pension funds also hold bonds and charge fees, so many planners model 4–7% depending on how the money is invested. The comparison panel on this page shows 5%, 7% and 9% side by side so you can see how sensitive the outcome is — it is usually wise to plan around the lower figure and treat anything above as upside.
Does the projection account for inflation?
The figures shown are nominal — what the pot statement would say, not what it would buy. A quick way to think in today’s money is to use a growth rate net of inflation: for example, enter 4% instead of 6.5% if you assume 2.5% inflation.
Are employer contributions and tax relief included?
Enter the total that actually lands in your pension each month — your contribution, your employer’s, and any tax relief added by the provider. If you want to see what a contribution really costs you after tax relief, use our SIPP tax relief calculator.
Is my data stored anywhere?
Everything runs in your browser. Your inputs are saved only on your own device so they are still there when you come back, and nothing is sent to any server.
This calculator is an illustration based on the figures you enter and the assumptions shown — it is not financial advice and no personal data leaves your device. Tax figures use England, Wales & NI income tax bands for the current tax year and assume the amounts shown are your only taxable income; Scottish bands differ. Investment returns are not guaranteed and tax rules can change. For decisions about your own pension, consider speaking to an FCA-regulated financial adviser. Full disclaimer.