Retirement gap calculator
Project your current pension saving forward to retirement age (teal line) and compare it with the pot a target annual income would typically need under a 4% withdrawal illustration (amber line).
Your numbers
Projection
Illustration only. The "target pot" uses a 4% initial withdrawal rate — a rough rule of thumb, not a plan. Real retirement income depends on growth, inflation, tax, how you draw the money and how long it must last.
Assumptions and method
- Growth compounds monthly; contributions are level (no pay-rise increases) and added monthly.
- The target pot = target income ÷ 4%, a common illustrative withdrawal rule of thumb. It is not safe-withdrawal advice and ignores annuity options, State Pension timing, tax and inflation.
- All figures in today's money terms only if your growth assumption is net of inflation — try entering a "real" return (e.g. nominal growth minus ~2–3%) to think in today's pounds.
For the system behind these numbers, read pensions explained. If you're over 50 and weighing options for a defined-contribution pot, the government's free Pension Wise guidance is specifically built for that conversation.
Reminder: retirement decisions are complex, high-stakes and often irreversible — the textbook case for regulated advice. This tool is general education only and not a personal recommendation. Find and vet an FCA-authorised adviser with our toolkit.