UK Pension Withdrawal Tax Calculator (25% tax-free, emergency tax refund)

How much tax will I pay on a pension withdrawal?

Enter what you want to take out and your other income. You get the tax-free part, the tax for the year, the emergency tax likely taken at source (and the refund to claim), the money purchase annual allowance warning, and what you save by spreading it over several tax years.

England, Wales and Northern Ireland rates. Check the figures on GOV.UK. Not tax advice.

Gross amount to withdraw (£)

How is it paid?

Other taxable income this tax year (£): salary, state pension, rent

Tax-free cash already taken from any pension (£)

Your age (optional)

Where do you live for tax?

Fill in the figures, then click Work out my tax.

Result

Spread it over more tax years

Tax years	Total tax	You keep	Saving

What to do

Step	What it means

What it does, and what it leaves to you

Covers: one flexible withdrawal from a defined-contribution pension: the tax-free share (capped by the lump sum allowance), income tax on the rest including the £100,000 allowance taper, the emergency tax estimate and a multi-year comparison.
Gives: tax and net amount, the refund to expect, the amount that stays within the basic rate band and the claim forms.
Not decided: Scottish rates, savings and dividend income, annuities, defined-benefit schemes, inheritance tax, pension protections, whether withdrawing is right for you, and anything that changed after this was written.

Common questions

How much of a pension withdrawal is tax-free in the UK?

Normally 25%, up to the lump sum allowance of £268,275 across all your pensions. With an uncrystallised funds pension lump sum (UFPLS) each withdrawal is 25% tax-free and 75% taxed as income. The taxable part is added to your other income for the tax year.

What is emergency tax on a pension withdrawal?

If your provider has no tax code for you, the first taxable payment is often taxed on an emergency basis that treats it as one month of a regular income, so far too much is taken. It is refundable: claim with form P55, P53Z or P50Z, or wait for HMRC to settle it after the tax year.

Does taking a pension withdrawal affect how much I can pay in later?

Yes. Taking taxable money flexibly (UFPLS or drawdown beyond tax-free cash) triggers the money purchase annual allowance of £10,000 a year for defined-contribution saving. Taking only tax-free cash does not.

Is it cheaper to spread withdrawals over several tax years?

Often. Each year has its own personal allowance and basic rate band, so the same money taken over more years can stay out of the 40% band and the £100,000 allowance taper. The table shows the saving for 1, 2, 3 and 5 years.

Does this work for Scotland?

No. Scotland has its own income tax bands. This tool covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Is my data uploaded anywhere?

No. Everything is calculated in your browser and nothing is sent.