Finance calculator
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.
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.
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
- 2026-05-29
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.
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?+
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?+
Estimate UK workplace pension auto-enrolment status, qualifying earnings, employee contribution, employer contribution, and total contribution.
How accurate is the Pension Auto-Enrolment Calculator?+
Pension Auto-Enrolment Calculator applies the formula and assumptions shown on this page. Results may be rounded for readability, so verify changing rates, thresholds, medical guidance, or legal rules with the cited source or a qualified professional.
What should I check before using the Pension Auto-Enrolment Calculator result?+
Check that the units, dates, rates, and assumptions match your situation. Change one input at a time to understand which values have the largest effect on the result.
Finance guide
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.
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