Before you use this calculator you'll need to have some information to hand. You'll find this information on statements from your pension provider. If you don't know any of this information it's best to contact your pension provider or scheme administrator who can tell you your pension input amount (PIA). Once you've got this figure you don't need to use this calculator as you can enter this amount directly into one of the pension savings annual allowance calculators.
There are some situations when you can't use the calculator, find out more by following the second link below.
Fields marked with a red asterisk must be completed for the calculator to work.
Pension savings annual allowance calculators - introduction (for years up to and including 2014 to 2015)
From 6 April 2016 pension input periods are aligned with tax years. Transitional provisions apply for the 2015 to 2016 tax year. For more information on the transitional provisions go to PTM058000.
Pension input amount calculator - introduction
Select this option if you only have a final salary scheme and then 'Next' to continue. You'll then be presented with a screen to enter a date for the last day of the pension input period as below.
Select this option if you've a final salary scheme plus a money purchase scheme. Money purchase schemes may be referred to as defined contributions (DC) or additional voluntary contributions (AVCs). Click 'Next' to select the number of schemes you pay into. Up to three schemes can be selected.
Select 'Next' to continue and you'll be presented with a screen to enter a date for the last day of the pension input period as below.
If you already have the PIA from your final salary scheme you can enter zeros in the final salary section and enter these details, as for a money purchase scheme, in the section below. You will first need to go back and increase the number of money purchase arrangements selected. The total amount from this calculation can then be entered into the pension savings annual allowance calculators.
Regardless of which scheme you picked you have to enter the date for the end of your pension input period. Entries are limited to pension input periods from 6 April 2008 to 5 April 2015.
You'll need to enter details of your pensionable salary or earnings depending on the end date of your PIP. For example, if the end date of your PIP is 6 March 2014 you'll have to enter details of your pensionable salary on 6 March 2013 and 6 March 2014.
You may need to check with your scheme administrator as to what makes up your pensionable salary as it can include things like bonuses, overtime and commission in addition to your basic salary.
Enter the scheme accrual rate as either a fraction or a percentage. If you enter a figure in both fields the calculation will be done using the fraction.
Different pension schemes have different accrual rates. These are stated as fractions such as 1/60 or 1/80 or as a percentage such as 1.25%.
The calculator can't be used if the final salary scheme:
Some final salary schemes make a separate lump sum payment when you come to take your pension. This lump sum is given without having to give up (commute) any of your pension. For example, if your pension scheme gives you a pension of 1/80th pensionable salary for each year of service and a lump sum of three times your final pension amount the lump sum factor is 3.
If your pension scheme doesn't provide a separate lump sum when you take your pension you should enter zero (0). If your pension scheme provides a lump sum but you have to give up ('commute') part of your pension for this then you should also enter zero (0).
Enter the number of complete years and months that you have been a member of your final salary scheme at the end date of your pension input period (PIP).
Enter the end date of the PIP and the amount of contributions made in the PIP for each tax year contributions were made. The dates of the tax year are pre-populated based on the response you gave in the previous screen.
The calculator can only be used if you've been a member of a registered pension scheme continuously since 5 April 2009 or earlier. If you haven't made any contributions for one of the pension input periods then enter a zero (0).
If you work out your pension input amounts using this calculator there could be a difference in the results than if you got them from your scheme administrator. This is due to rounding.
The 'Print me' button can be used to print the results for your own records.
The results can now be input into one of the pension savings annual allowance calculators to work out whether you will incur a penalty charge for exceeding your annual allowance in a tax year.
Pension savings annual allowance calculators - introduction
Further guidance on tax on your private pension contributions can be found on GOV.UK.
