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Pension Tax Relief Calculator — UK & Scotland

Pension contributions get tax relief, but how much you receive depends on your income, where you live and how your scheme gives the relief. Enter your salary and contribution, then compare relief at source, net pay and salary sacrifice side by side to see what it really costs you to pay into your pension.

How to use the Pension Tax Relief Calculator

  1. Enter your annual salary, the tax year and where you live.
  2. Enter how much goes into your pension each year, including tax relief.
  3. Choose how your scheme gives relief to see the full breakdown.
  4. Compare all three methods in the table to find the lowest cost to you.

The three ways pension tax relief is given

Relief at source: you pay from your take-home pay, and your pension provider claims 20% basic-rate tax relief from the government and adds it to your pot. If you pay tax at a higher rate, you claim the extra relief through Self Assessment or by contacting HMRC. If your Scottish rate is 19%, your provider still claims 20% for you.

Net pay: your employer deducts the contribution before working out Income Tax, so you get relief at your highest rate automatically. The catch is that non-taxpayers get no relief. Salary sacrifice: you give up part of your salary in exchange for an employer pension contribution, which reduces both Income Tax and National Insurance.

Limits on pension tax relief

You can usually get tax relief on pension contributions worth up to 100% of your annual earnings, and the standard annual allowance — the most that can be paid in by you and your employer before a tax charge applies — is £60,000. It can be lower for high earners or if you have already taken flexible pension benefits.

Relief at source also allows contributions even with no earnings, up to £3,600 gross a year (a £2,880 payment plus £720 of relief).

Assumptions & important information

  • Rates and thresholds shown are for the 2026/27 tax year and were last checked against GOV.UK on 2 November 2026.
  • Contributions are entered as the full amount reaching your pension from your side. Employer contributions are not included, except under salary sacrifice, where the amount you give up is assumed to be paid in by your employer.
  • Relief at source adds 20% automatically; any additional higher-rate relief is calculated by moving the income that would otherwise be taxed at higher rates down to the basic rate.
  • The calculator uses the standard personal allowance (reduced above £100,000), no tax code adjustments and no student loan.
  • The standard £60,000 annual allowance is not tapered or reduced in these calculations.
  • This calculator gives estimates for information only. It is not financial, tax or legal advice — check important decisions with HMRC, your employer or a regulated adviser.

Ideas & examples

  • £30,000 earner paying £2,000 (relief at source): Your provider adds £400 of relief, so £2,000 goes into your pot for a real cost of £1,600.
  • £60,000 higher-rate taxpayer paying £5,000: Under relief at source, £5,000 in your pot costs £3,000 once you claim the higher-rate relief. With salary sacrifice it costs £2,900 because you also save National Insurance.
  • £60,000 Scottish taxpayer using net pay: A £5,000 contribution costs £2,900, since the pay it comes from would otherwise be taxed at Scottish rates up to 42%.

Frequently asked questions

How much tax relief do I get on my pension?

You get relief at the rate you pay Income Tax: 20% for basic-rate taxpayers, 40% for higher-rate and 45% for additional-rate taxpayers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and your Scottish rates in Scotland. Relief at source adds 20% automatically and you claim the rest.

What is the difference between net pay and relief at source?

With net pay your contribution comes out before tax. With relief at source it comes out after tax and the provider adds 20%. Higher-rate taxpayers get the same final relief but must claim part of it back under relief at source.

Does salary sacrifice save National Insurance?

Yes. Because your salary is reduced, you pay less Income Tax and less National Insurance. Net pay and relief at source do not reduce National Insurance.

Can I get tax relief if I don’t pay tax?

With relief at source, yes — up to £3,600 gross a year. With net pay you get no relief because there is no tax to reduce.

How do I claim higher-rate relief?

If your provider uses relief at source, you can claim extra relief by completing a Self Assessment return or by contacting HMRC to adjust your tax code.

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