Pension Carry Forward Calculator
Fill in your income and pension contributions for each of the last four tax years and see your total available carry forward update live — including any tapered annual allowance for high-income years.
2026/27
Current year2025/26
Last year2024/25
Two years ago2023/24
Three years agoTotal available carry forward
£100,000Unused allowance from the previous three tax years, on top of this year's allowance.
2026/27 allowance
£60,0002026/27 still unused
£40,000Unused allowance by year
Used Available to carry forward
Where your carry forward comes from
- 2025/26 unused£40,000
- 2024/25 unused£40,000
- 2023/24 unused£20,000
Estimates for the 2026/27 tax year · how we calculate this
About pension carry forward
This calculator helps you work out your available pension carry forward allowance based on your income and previous pension contributions. The carry forward rules allow you to make use of any unused annual allowance from the previous three tax years.
Standard annual allowances by tax year:
- 2026/27: £60,000
- 2025/26: £60,000
- 2024/25: £60,000
- 2022/23: £40,000
- 2021/22: £40,000
Understanding the tapered annual allowance
The tapered annual allowance reduces your pension annual allowance if you have a high income. Here's how it works:
1. Threshold income
Your threshold income is calculated as:
Base Salary + Other Taxable Income − Your Pension Contributions
If this is over £200,000, you may be affected by tapering.
2. Adjusted income
Your adjusted income is calculated as:
Threshold Income + Employer Pension Contributions
If this is over £260,000, your annual allowance will be reduced.
3. Tapering reduction
If both conditions are met:
- Your threshold income is over £200,000
- Your adjusted income is over £260,000
Your annual allowance is reduced by £1 for every £2 your adjusted income exceeds £260,000.
The minimum tapered allowance is £10,000.
Worked example:
If your:
- Base salary: £185,000
- Other income: £120,000
- Your pension contribution: £15,000
- Employer pension contribution: £12,000
Then:
- Threshold income = £185,000 + £120,000 − £15,000 = £290,000 (over £200,000)
- Adjusted income = £290,000 + £12,000 = £302,000 (over £260,000)
- Excess = £302,000 − £260,000 = £42,000
- Reduction = £42,000 ÷ 2 = £21,000
- Tapered allowance = £60,000 − £21,000 = £39,000
Affected by the taper this year? Work out your exact reduced allowance with the tapered annual allowance calculator.
Key calculations explained
Annual allowance
The annual allowance is the maximum amount you can contribute to your pension each year:
- £60,000 for 2024/25, 2025/26 and 2026/27
- £40,000 for 2021/22 and 2022/23
- May be reduced by tapering for high earners
- Includes both personal and employer contributions
Tapered allowance
Your annual allowance may be reduced if you have a high income:
- Threshold income over £200,000
- Adjusted income over £260,000
- Reduced by £1 for every £2 over the threshold
- Minimum tapered allowance: £10,000
Carry forward rules
You can carry forward unused annual allowance from the previous three tax years:
- Must have been a member of a pension scheme
- Current year allowance must be used first
- Older years' allowances used before newer ones
- Flexible drawdown may affect carry forward
Important considerations
Tax year changes
Annual allowance amounts have changed over recent tax years. The calculator uses the correct allowance for each year.
Flexible drawdown
If you have accessed your pension flexibly, your annual allowance may be reduced to £10,000 (Money Purchase Annual Allowance).
High earners
If your income is over £200,000, you should check if the tapered annual allowance applies to you — our taper guide explains the rules in full.
Related guides and tools
Pension Carry Forward Explained
2026/27 rules and worked examples
Tapered Annual Allowance 2026/27: Am I Affected?
Our full guide to the taper rules
Tapered allowance calculator
Check this year's reduced allowance
Salary calculator
Your real take-home pay, live
Pension calculator
Project your pot to retirement
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates only and should not be considered financial advice. The calculations are based on the information you provide and current tax year rates and thresholds. The calculator assumes you were a member of a registered pension scheme in the relevant tax years. Tax rules, including annual allowance amounts and tapering thresholds, may change in future years. Please consult with a qualified financial advisor for personalized advice regarding your pension contributions and tax planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Disclaimer: These calculators provide estimates for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. Calculations use 2026/27 UK tax rates and thresholds sourced from HMRC and GOV.UK. Results are illustrative and may not reflect your personal circumstances. For personalised advice, consult an FCA-authorised financial adviser.