Average Pension Pot by Age
The median UK pension pot peaks at £152,000around retirement — then steadily drains through drawdown. Find your age on the chart to see where you stand.
Accumulation: ONS Wealth and Assets Survey Round 8, adjusted for 2025/26. Drawdown: modelled at £12k/year withdrawal with 4% growth.
What the median pot actually buys
The typical person approaching retirement has £120,000 saved. Here’s what that means in practice:
Where do you stand?
Enter your age and pension pot to see how you compare and whether you’re on track.
You’re ahead of 46% of people aged 35–39
Whether you’re ahead or behind, these tools can help you plan your next move:
Are you on track? Target pots by age
The PLSA defines three retirement living standards. Working backwards, here’s the DC pot you need at each age — and whether the median saver meets it.
| Age | Median | Minimum | Moderate | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22–29 | £4,800 | £2,881 | £64,773 | £106,034 |
| 30–34 | £15,500 | £3,861 | £86,802 | £142,095 |
| 35–39 | £28,000 | £4,928 | £110,784 | £181,354 |
| 40–44 | £43,000 | £6,290 | £141,391 | £231,458 |
| 45–49 | £64,000 | £8,028 | £180,455 | £295,406 |
| 50–54 | £92,000 | £10,246 | £230,311 | £377,021 |
| 55–59 | £120,000 | £13,076 | £293,942 | £481,185 |
| 60–65 | £152,000 | £17,524 | £393,910 | £644,834 |
Assumes 5% growth to state pension age (67) and 4% withdrawal rate. Green = median meets target. Red = median is behind.
| Age | Median | Mean | 25th %ile | 75th %ile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22–29 | £4,800 | £12,400 | £1,100 | £14,600 |
| 30–34 | £15,500 | £38,000 | £5,000 | £38,000 |
| 35–39 | £28,000 | £58,000 | £9,500 | £60,000 |
| 40–44 | £43,000 | £85,000 | £14,000 | £88,000 |
| 45–49 | £64,000 | £119,000 | £18,500 | £125,000 |
| 50–54 | £92,000 | £165,000 | £24,000 | £175,000 |
| 55–59 | £120,000 | £205,000 | £28,000 | £220,000 |
| 60–65 | £152,000 | £248,000 | £32,000 | £265,000 |
Source: ONS Wealth and Assets Survey Round 8, illustrative adjustments for 2025/26
The gender pension gap
Women’s median pots are ~40% smaller than men’s at every age.
22–29
36% gap
30–34
42% gap
35–39
43% gap
40–44
42% gap
45–49
43% gap
50–54
42% gap
55–59
44% gap
60–65
43% gap
Methodology & data sources
Primary source:ONS Wealth and Assets Survey (WAS) Round 8, covering April 2020 to March 2022 — the most comprehensive household wealth survey in Great Britain (~20,000 households).
DC pension wealth: Figures relate to defined contribution pots only — personal pensions, workplace DC schemes (NEST, auto-enrolment), and SIPPs. Defined benefit pensions are excluded.
2025/26 adjustments: Illustrative adjustments for ongoing auto-enrolment contributions and broad market returns since the survey period.
PLSA targets: Retirement Living Standards 2024, single person outside London. Assume full state pension (£12,548/year) and 4% sustainable withdrawal rate.
Drawdown model: The chart’s drawdown phase assumes £12,000/year withdrawal with 4% annual growth on the remaining balance.
- •Figures are illustrative estimates based on published ONS survey data, not exact individual statistics.
- •DC pension wealth only — defined benefit (DB) pensions are not included.
- •Actual pension pots vary enormously based on contribution history, investment returns, and fees.
- •PLSA targets assume full state pension entitlement (35 qualifying NI years).
- •Past performance and survey data are not reliable indicators of future outcomes.
This calculator provides estimates based on 2026/27 tax rates and is not financial advice. Scottish taxpayers are subject to different income tax rates and bands. The calculations assume your salary is your only source of income and do not account for benefits in kind or other taxable income.
For personalised guidance on your pension contributions, speak to an FCA-regulated financial adviser. You can find one via Unbiased or VouchedFor.