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United Kingdom - Tax year 2026/27Pension Auto-Enrolment Calculator
Estimate UK workplace pension auto-enrolment status, qualifying earnings, employee contribution, employer contribution, and total contribution.
FormulaQualifying earnings = capped salary - lower qualifying earnings limit; contributions = qualifying earnings x contribution rates
Formula
UK auto-enrolment contribution estimate
This simplified estimate excludes pay reference periods, postponement, opt-outs, salary sacrifice, tax relief method, payroll rounding, and employer scheme certification rules.
Qualifying earnings = capped salary - lower qualifying earnings limit; contributions = qualifying earnings x contribution rates
For 35,000 salary, qualifying earnings are 28,760 before applying employee and employer contribution percentages.
SourcesThis profile covers a simplified UK workplace pension auto-enrolment estimate using the 2026/27 earnings trigger, qualifying earnings band, and minimum employee and employer contribution percentages.
Sources and assumptions
UK pension auto-enrolment source notes
This profile covers a simplified UK workplace pension auto-enrolment estimate using the 2026/27 earnings trigger, qualifying earnings band, and minimum employee and employer contribution percentages.
- Effective year
- Tax year 2026/27
- Last verified
- 2026-06-23
This simplified estimate excludes pay reference periods, postponement, opt-outs, salary sacrifice, tax relief method, payroll rounding, and employer scheme certification rules.
Official and reference sources
Assumptions
- Salary is annual qualifying employment earnings for the selected worker.
- Eligible jobholder status is estimated from age, salary, and the entered state pension age.
- Qualifying earnings are capped between the annual lower and upper qualifying earnings limits.
- Employee and employer contribution percentages are applied to qualifying earnings.
Not included
- Pay reference periods, tax relief method, salary sacrifice, postponement, opt-outs, re-enrolment, and worker category edge cases.
- Employer-specific scheme certification, total earnings definitions, bonuses, overtime, and payroll rounding.
- Pension investment returns, fees, tax-free cash, retirement income, and withdrawal rules.
FAQ6 common questions for this calculator.
FAQs
What are qualifying earnings?+
Qualifying earnings are the part of annual pay between the lower and upper qualifying earnings limits used for minimum auto-enrolment contribution calculations.
Does this calculate pension growth?+
No. It estimates annual contribution amounts only and does not project investment returns or retirement income.
How does the Pension Auto-Enrolment Calculator calculate the result?+
For the Pension Auto-Enrolment Calculator, it uses the UK auto-enrolment contribution estimate: Qualifying earnings = capped salary - lower qualifying earnings limit; contributions = qualifying earnings x contribution rates. For 35,000 salary, qualifying earnings are 28,760 before applying employee and employer contribution percentages.
What information do I need to use the Pension Auto-Enrolment Calculator?+
Enter the money values, rates, dates, quantities, or assumptions requested by the form. Keep every amount in the same currency or business period before comparing the Pension Auto-Enrolment Calculator result.
How accurate is the Pension Auto-Enrolment Calculator?+
Pension Auto-Enrolment Calculator is accurate for the rates, amounts, dates, and rules entered. It uses the UK auto-enrolment contribution estimate shown on this page. Real products can differ because of fees, taxes, contract terms, or changing official thresholds.
What should I check before using the Pension Auto-Enrolment Calculator result?+
For the Pension Auto-Enrolment Calculator, check the entered amounts, rates, dates, and rules, then compare the UK auto-enrolment contribution estimate and worked example with the contract or source you will rely on. Fees, tax year, currency, and payment timing can change the final decision.
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How to use the Pension Auto-Enrolment Calculator
Estimate UK workplace pension auto-enrolment status, qualifying earnings, employee contribution, employer contribution, and total contribution. The page also explains the UK auto-enrolment contribution estimate and shows a practical example: For 35,000 salary, qualifying earnings are 28,760 before applying employee and employer contribution percentages.
- 1
Enter your details
Enter the values for the pension auto-enrolment calculator scenario you want to check.
- 2
Check the calculation
Review the result alongside the UK auto-enrolment contribution estimate: Qualifying earnings = capped salary - lower qualifying earnings limit; contributions = qualifying earnings x contribution rates.
- 3
Compare scenarios
Change one or more inputs to see how they affect the pension Auto-Enrolment Calculator result before you use the estimate.