UK Auto-Enrolment Pension Calculator

Statutory minimum 5% employee + 3% employer on qualifying earnings (£6,240 to £50,270 in 2026/27).

Updated May 2026, using HMRC 2026/27 rates and current ONS / gov.uk figures.

Pension auto-enrolment was rolled out 2012-2018. All UK employers must offer it. Employees auto-enrolled (with opt-out option) from age 22 to State Pension age, earning over £10,000/yr.

Worked examples

£35k salary: qualifying earnings £28,760. Employee 5% = £1,438. Employer 3% = £863.

£50k+ salary: qualifying earnings capped at £44,030. Employee max £2,202.

Sources: The Pensions Regulator · retrieved 2026-05-15.

Frequently asked questions

Can I opt out?

Yes — within a 1-month window you get full refund. After that, you stay opted in but can leave any time (no refund of past contributions).

Should I opt out?

Almost never. Employer contributions are 'free money' you can't get any other way. Plus tax relief.

Can I pay more than 5%?

Yes. Many schemes allow up to 100% of salary (capped by annual allowance £60k). Employer contribution is usually fixed at 3% even if you contribute more.