Pension
UK Pension Tax Relief Calculator (2026/27).
Total tax relief
£2,946
Marginal rate 40%
Effective relief rate
29.5%
- Gross contribution
- £10,000
- Basic-rate relief
- £2,000
- Higher-rate relief
- £946
Net cost breakdown
- Gross contribution£10,000.00
- Basic-rate relief (at source)−£2,000.00
- Net payment to pension£8,000.00
- Higher-rate relief (via SA)−£946.00
- Your actual net cost£7,054.00
Remaining annual allowance
£50,000
Monthly net cost £587.83 on £833.33 contributed.
Source: gov.uk pension tax relief. Rates for the 2026/27 tax year.
Who pays for your pension contribution
Rates and rules from Tax on your private pension: pension tax relief (HM Revenue & Customs).
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Expert help
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Ask an accountantQuestions
Frequently asked
questions.
How does pension tax relief work in the UK?
HMRC adds 20% basic-rate relief to personal pension contributions. Higher-rate and additional-rate taxpayers claim the difference through Self Assessment.
What is the pension annual allowance for 2026/27?
The pension annual allowance is £60,000 or 100% of your earnings, whichever is lower. Excess contributions above the allowance are taxed.
What is carry-forward and can I use it?
Carry-forward lets you use unused annual allowance from the three previous tax years, potentially allowing pension contributions above £60,000 in one year.
Is salary sacrifice better than personal contributions?
Salary sacrifice also saves employer and employee National Insurance on the contribution amount, often making it more efficient. Your employer must agree to offer it.
Do I still get relief if I am a non-taxpayer?
You can contribute up to £3,600 per year gross, which is £2,880 net, and HMRC still adds the 20% basic-rate top-up even with no tax liability.
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