One of the things that makes saving for retirement so difficult is something called present bias, which is the tendency to prioritise goals that are closer to the present time. Retirement is so far in the future that we can’t envision our future selves and lives that we’re saving for. Whereas shorter term goals, like a holiday or new car, are much easier to save for because the reward will come sooner. However, putting off saving for retirement could cost you!

 

Building a £1 million pension pot

As with all financial goals, the sooner you start the better. Let’s look at how much you could have to save each month, and overall, to build a £1 million pension pot starting in your 20s, 30s, and 40s.

 

Starting in your 20s

Monthly: £317

Overall: £301,860.79 saved in total

 

Starting in your 30s

Monthly: £557

Overall: £375,072.26 saved in total

 

Starting in your 40s

Monthly: £1,051

Overall: £467,289.86 saved in total

 

Starting on your retirement savings sooner gives your money plenty of time to grow and it could even cost you less – per month and overall. In fact, in this instance starting in your 20s would save you £165,000 overall vs starting in your 40s!

 

We use a number of assumptions to calculate how much your savings might be worth at retirement.*

 

Find out if you’re on track

Use our handy in-app Pension Calculator to work out what you’re on track to have at retirement. It works out your projected pot by factoring in your:

  • Age
  • Retirement age
  • Annual salary
  • Current savings
  • Regular pension contributions
  • Employer pension contributions
  • State Pension (optional)

Plus, it’ll tell you how you can get back on track to your target pot if you’ve gone off-piste.

 

Use Pension Calculator

 

Important to know

*We use a number of assumptions to calculate how much your savings might be worth at retirement.

  • Investments across all your pensions are assumed to grow at a rate of 5% each year, with total fees on those pots charged at 0.68% per year.
  • We assume your salary increases by 2.5% per year until you reach retirement. Any contributions you make into your pension(s) are also assumed to increase in line with your salary.
  • Projected annual pension includes the State Pension in your projections, this will add the equivalent of £11,502.20 to your income when you reach State Pension, which we assume is age 67.
  • All contributions you make into your Moneybox Personal Pension and workplace pension are eligible for tax relief from the government. 
  • We have not taken into account the effect of inflation in your projected retirement savings. However, we have adjusted your retirement income for inflation.
  • Your total workplace contribution percentage applies to your full annual salary and includes contributions made by both you and your employer. 

As with all investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your pension can go up and down, and you may get back less than you invest. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future.