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    2029 Pension Changes Confirmed

    Find out how the new NI rules will affect your retirement pot

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    Pension vs MortgageWhich Builds More Wealth?

    Should you pay more into your pension or pay off your mortgage faster? This calculator shows you which strategy could leave you wealthier at retirement. We'll factor in your tax relief, employer contributions, mortgage interest, and how your home's value might grow.

    Updated January 2026

    Decision Context

    Use this calculator if:

    • You want to compare mortgage overpayments with pension contributions
    • You need to understand long-term return differences including tax relief
    • You want a data-backed projection rather than general guidance

    This calculator assumes:

    • Standard UK tax rules (2024/25 tax year)
    • No employer NI restrictions unless configured
    • Stable investment growth assumptions (configurable)

    Planning as a household? Enable this to add your spouse's pension and budget allocation.

    Pension Settings

    Configure your pension contributions and expected returns

    £
    %
    £
    £
    %
    %
    %
    %

    Mortgage Details

    Your current mortgage information

    £
    %
    £
    £
    %

    Budget & Allocation

    How you want to split your available budget

    £/mo
    60%
    0% (Nothing allocated)100% (All to pension)
    100%
    0% (Keep as cash)100% available
    0%
    0% (Keep as cash)0% available
    UnallocatedPension PotMortgageTax Relief£0£250£500£828£ Amount
    Unallocated
    Your Contribution
    Tax Relief
    Mortgage

    Orange segments represent tax relief: 20% is automatically added to your pension pot, and an additional 20% comes back to you as a tax rebate.

    Strategy Optimization

    Explore how different approaches might affect your outcomes

    Projection Over Time

    Track mortgage balance, pension value, and net worth (Today's £)

    Y0Y1Y2Y3Y4Y5Y6Y7Y8Y10Y12Y14Y16Y18Y20£0£150,000£300,000£450,000£600,000£750,000£1,039,835Retirement
    • Mortgage Balance
    • Pension (Expected)
    • Net Worth (Expected) (Today's £)
    Retirement Year

    Shaded areas represent the range of possible outcomes based on conservative and optimistic growth rate assumptions. The solid lines show the expected scenario.

    Net Worth = Pension Value + Property Value - Mortgage Balance, adjusted to today's pounds. This shows the complete picture of total financial position over time.

    Financial Position at Retirement

    Accounting schedule showing your projected financial position (Today's £)

    Detailed Breakdown

    Save to Your Financial Plan

    Your saved details will pre-fill other calculators automatically so you do not have to re-key information and can access your saved calculations at any time.

    Assumptions & Notes

    What's Next?

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    MR

    About the author

    Melanie Reed is a fintech and product specialist with 13+ years' experience building mortgage, investment, savings and retirement tools at companies including Aviva, Lendinvest, Money Advice Trust and Luno. She develops calculators and content that simplify complex UK financial decisions, covering pensions, mortgages, tax-efficiency and long-term savings.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about pension vs mortgage decisions

    Try It Now

    Use the calculator above to compare pension contributions with mortgage overpayments based on your personal situation

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