Retirement Readiness Calculator 2026/27
A step-by-step retirement planner for UK households. Enter your pensions, ISAs, general investment accounts and cash savings, add any DB pensions or other income streams, and see whether you're on track for the retirement income you want — in today's money.
The calculator models withdrawals in a tax-efficient order (pension → cash → GIA → ISA), applies 2026/27 income tax and capital gains tax rules, and gives you a traffic-light verdict, a depletion age and — if you're behind — the extra £/month you'd need to save.
Are you on track to retire?
Work out the pot you need for the retirement income you want, see whether your pensions, ISAs, investments and savings will get you there, and what to do if they won't. Everything in today's money.
Who is this plan for?
Planning as a couple usually needs a smaller total pot for the same income — two personal allowances, two state pensions and two capital gains allowances go a long way.
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Who this calculator is for
Anyone in the UK trying to picture their retirement: employees building up a workplace pension, self-employed savers with SIPPs and ISAs, couples planning together, and people already retired who want to see how long their pots will last.
The 2026/27 rules it uses
- 2026/27 rUK income tax bands with personal allowance taper above £100,000.
- Full new state pension of £12,547.60 for those with 35 qualifying NI years (proportionate down to 10 years, then zero).
- UFPLS-style pension drawdown — 25% tax free (subject to the £268,275 lump sum allowance), 75% taxable.
- Capital gains tax on GIAs with a £3,000 annual exempt amount and 18%/24% band split.
- Withdrawal order each year: pension → cash → GIA → ISA, filling both partners' personal allowances first.
- FCA-style 2% / 5% / 8% growth presets, separate pre- and post-retirement growth, cash rate and inflation assumptions.
- All figures modelled in today's money (real terms), with an optional Future money display toggle on the results screen.
Frequently asked questions
Are the figures in today's money or future money?
By default, everything is in today's money — growth is applied net of inflation. The results screen has a toggle to switch the display to future money if you'd rather see the nominal pound-figures your pots will actually contain.
How is tax on GIA withdrawals worked out?
The calculator estimates the proportion of each GIA withdrawal that is gain (versus original capital), applies the £3,000 annual exempt amount, and taxes the remainder at 18% or 24% depending on your other taxable income that year.
Does it give me financial advice?
No. This is education and guidance only — it's a modelling tool to help you understand the shape of your retirement, not a personal recommendation. Please speak to a regulated adviser before making decisions.
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Education and guidance only — not financial advice. Projections use simplified assumptions and cannot predict investment returns, tax changes or your personal circumstances.