Pensions · 5 min
Many employers put extra into your pension if you do. Most people never check.
£2.50
in your pot for every £1 that leaves your take-home pay.
The 10-second version
Your pension doesn't only grow from your wage. Here's where £4,200 a year comes from.
You: £1,680
What you actually lose from take-home pay.
Government: £420
Tax relief, added for you.
Employer: £2,100
Their match, if you pay in too.
£35,000 salary, 6% from you and 6% from your employer, basic-rate taxpayer.
Pick one. Then we'll tell you what to do next.
Same £35,000 salary, 40 years. The only difference is whether you take the full match.
Legal minimum
about £290k
£192 a month going in
6% + 6% match
about £530k
£350 a month going in
Illustration only. Assumes 5% a year growth, before inflation and charges. Not guaranteed.
Ready to dive deeper? The full Workplace Pensions guide has the mechanics, worked examples and fine print.