2026/27 pension planning
How much should I have in my pension at 20?
At 20, a pension pot of about £167,000 would be enough on its own for a moderate retirement at 67: £32,700 a year after tax for one person, with the full State Pension. Starting from nothing, about £491 a month going in over the next 47 years gets you there.
Monthly contributions needed from age 20
What needs to go in each month, including tax relief and your employer's contributions, to retire at 67 on each Retirement Living Standard, depending on what you have saved already.
| Pension pot now | Minimum (£13,900) | Moderate (£32,700) | Comfortable (£45,400) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nothing yet | £48/mo | £491/mo | £833/mo |
| £10,000 | £18/mo | £461/mo | £803/mo |
| £25,000 | On track | £417/mo | £758/mo |
| £50,000 | On track | £343/mo | £684/mo |
| £100,000 | On track | £195/mo | £536/mo |
| £200,000 | On track | On track | £240/mo |
The pot that is enough on its own at 20
Minimum, £13,900 a year
£17,000
with nothing more paid in
Moderate, £32,700 a year
£167,000
with nothing more paid in
Comfortable, £45,400 a year
£282,000
with nothing more paid in
The State Pension does a lot of the work. It covers most of the minimum standard on its own, which is why the minimum needs so little saved. See what any pot pays in retirement.
Common questions
How much should I have in my pension at 20?
To be on track for a moderate retirement at 67 (£32,700 a year after tax for one person, with the full State Pension), a pot of about £167,000 at 20 would be enough on its own if it grows at average rates. With less saved, you can close the gap with monthly contributions over the 47 years to 67.
How much should I pay into my pension at 20?
Starting from nothing at 20, about £491 a month going in, rising with inflation, reaches a moderate retirement at 67. That includes tax relief and anything your employer pays, so your own cost is lower.
Is it too late to start a pension at 20?
No. With 47 years to 67, regular contributions plus the State Pension still add up. The minimum Retirement Living Standard of £13,900 a year needs about £48 a month from nothing, because the State Pension covers most of it.
How much do I need to retire comfortably?
The comfortable Retirement Living Standard is £45,400 a year after tax for one person. From age 20 that needs a pot of about £282,000 today, or about £833 a month going in from nothing.
Other ages
Official sources
Every rate and threshold on this page is checked against these official pages. How we calculate
- Retirement Living Standards (Pensions UK)
- The new State Pension: what you'll get (GOV.UK)
- Check your State Pension age (GOV.UK)
- Tax on your private pension: tax relief (GOV.UK)
- Workplace pensions: what you, your employer and the government pay (GOV.UK)
Catch up faster
Retiring at 67 with the full State Pension from your State Pension age, balanced investments (5.5% growth, 0.5% fees, 2.5% inflation) at average returns, contributions rising with inflation, a flat income to 95 in today's money. One person. Not personal advice.
Updated