How it works
Enter your annual pension contributions, your adjusted income and your threshold income. Say whether you have flexibly accessed a pension (triggering the MPAA). We work out your available allowance in your browser.
In detail
The annual allowance is the most you can pay into pensions each year and still get tax relief. For most people in 2026/27 it is £60,000.
Taper for high earners
If your adjusted income exceeds £260,000 and your threshold income exceeds £200,000, the allowance tapers: it falls by £1 for every £2 of adjusted income above £260,000, down to a floor of £10,000 once adjusted income reaches £360,000.
Money Purchase Annual Allowance (MPAA)
If you have flexibly accessed a defined-contribution pension (for example taken an uncrystallised funds pension lump sum), your allowance drops to the MPAA of £10,000.
| Scenario | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Standard | £60,000 |
| Tapered (high earner) | £10,000–£60,000 |
| MPAA (after flexible access) | £10,000 |
Contributions above your allowance are taxed via the annual allowance charge. The authoritative source is GOV.UK — Tax on your private pension.
FAQ
What is the pension annual allowance in 2026/27?
£60,000 for most people — the maximum you can contribute and still get tax relief in a year.
When does the allowance taper?
It tapers once adjusted income exceeds £260,000 and threshold income exceeds £200,000, falling to a £10,000 floor at £360,000 of adjusted income.
What is the MPAA?
The Money Purchase Annual Allowance is £10,000, applied after you flexibly access a defined-contribution pension.
What happens if I exceed the allowance?
The excess is taxed through the annual allowance charge, reducing the tax relief you get.