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Pension Salary Sacrifice explained

Save More Money for Retirement - The Simple Way

Written by Mintago Team

What's Pension Salary Sacrifice? Let's Break It Down! šŸŽÆ

Imagine getting more money in your take-home pay while keeping you salary and pension contributions the same - sounds too good to be true, right? Well, that's exactly what pension salary sacrifice can do! Let's explain how in simple terms.

The "Before and After" Story šŸ“–

Right now, you pay national insurance on any pension contributions you make. This reduces your take-home pay.

After you move to a salary sacrifice pension deduction, you'll no longer pay any national insurance on your pension, resulting in more in your take-home pay!šŸŽ‰

Let's Look at Real Numbers šŸ’°

Take a look at our example of your take-home pay if you're on a £40,000 salary with a 5% pension contribution. Click on the dropdown to see a breakdown of your pay and how your contributions reflect in your pension pot!

Relief at source pension: Take-home pay £2,560.10

Monthly pay: £3,333.33

Tax : £457.07
National insurance: £182.83

Pension contribution: £133.33

Take home pay: £2,560.10

Total paid into your pension pot: £266.66

Ā£133.33 From your take-home pay (80% of your full contribution)

Ā£ 33.33 Tax refund (20% of your full contribution)

Ā£100.00 3% Employer's contribution

Ā£266.66 Total into your pension pot


Net pay arrangement pension: Take-home pay £2,560.10

Monthly pay: £3,333.33

Tax : £423.74
National insurance: £182.83

Pension contribution: £166.66

Take home pay: £2,560.10

Total paid into your pension pot: £266.66

Ā£166.66 From your take-home pay (100% of your full contribution)

Ā£100.00 3% Employer's contribution

Ā£266.66 Total into your pension pot


Salary sacrifice pension: Take home pay £2,573.44

Monthly pay: £3,333.33

Tax : £423.74
National insurance: Ā£169.49 ā¬…ļøLower than all the other schemes!šŸŽ‰

Pension contribution: £166.66

Take home pay: £2,573.44

Total paid into your pension pot: £266.66

Ā£166.67 Your employer will pay this in for you (100% of your full contribution)

Ā£100.00 3% Employer's contribution

Ā£266.66 Total into your pension pot


That's an extra £13.34 every month - or about £160 per year - without doing anything different!

The Best Parts 🌟

  1. The amount paid into your pension pot stays exactly the same

  2. You don't need to change anything about your pension

  3. You get more take-home pay

  4. It's all handled for you

What You Need to Know šŸ¤”

  1. Your pension provider remains the same (no change)

  2. You're still saving the same amount for retirement (unless you ask to add more)

  3. It's just a smarter way to pay into your pension (you save money!)

Is It Right For You? āœ…

Salary sacrifice is great if you:

  • Want to save money efficiently for your retirement

  • Like the idea of more take-home pay

  • Are currently on a relief at source pension and are a higher rate taxpayer

  • Want to bring your pay into a lower tax bracket

  • Want to reduce your salary to become eligible for income-related support

Please read through our FAQ section where you can find even more information on the topics mentioned above.

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