Tell us when you want to retire and what you want to spend. We'll show you exactly how much you need to save.
| Age | Year | Pot (start) | Contributions | Growth | Withdrawals | Pot (end) |
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Our calculator uses the same principles financial planners use, simplified so anyone can use it in minutes.
Choose when you want to retire and how much you'd like to spend each year in today's money. Include your expected lifestyle — holidays, hobbies, dining out.
Tell us your current savings across all pots — ISAs, SIPPs, and other investments. Then add your planned monthly contribution going forward.
We calculate your target pot using a realistic drawdown simulation, then show exactly how far you are from hitting it and what you need to save monthly.
Use the calculator above to find your exact number for any of these income levels.
The most important retirement planning question isn't when you can retire — it's how much you need to get there. The answer depends on three things: what you want to spend, when you want to stop working, and how long you plan your money to last.
Many retirement calculators use the 4% rule: your pot needs to be 25× your annual spending (because 4% × 25 = 100%). This rule was designed for a 30-year retirement and a US-market-heavy portfolio.
Our calculator goes further. It runs a year-by-year drawdown simulation that accounts for your specific retirement age, state pension timing, and planned lifespan — so the target pot it gives you is tailored to your situation, not a one-size-fits-all multiple.
Yes — and it matters a lot. The full new state pension is currently £11,502 per year (2024/25). If you retire before 67, you'll need your pot to cover your full spending until state pension kicks in. Our calculator handles this automatically when you enable the state pension toggle.
All figures in this calculator are in today's money (real terms). The growth rates represent returns above inflation:
For most UK savers, a combination works best. SIPPs offer upfront tax relief (worth 20–45% depending on your tax band), while ISAs offer tax-free withdrawals at any age. Pension funds are locked away until at least 57 (rising to 58 in 2028). Our guides cover ISA vs pension in more detail — see the guides section.