Tools
Pension Tax Relief Calculator UK: Basic, Higher and Additional Rate
Enter a contribution and your income, and see exactly what it costs you after tax relief. The trap this catches: only the basic 20% is added to your pension automatically. If you pay higher or additional rate tax, the extra relief is real money, but you have to claim it back yourself through Self Assessment or HMRC, and many people never do.
What does your contribution really cost?
This uses England, Wales and Northern Ireland income tax bands for 2025/26: a £12,570 personal allowance, the 40% higher rate from £50,270, and the 45% additional rate from £125,140 (with the personal allowance tapering away between £100,000 and £125,140). Scottish taxpayers have different bands and rates. The figure assumes a personal contribution made by relief at source, the normal way SIPP and most personal pension contributions work, and that the contribution is within your annual allowance and relevant earnings.
