The amount you need to save for a pension depends on your personal circumstances, including your income, lifestyle, and when you start saving. There are several rules of thumb to help you estimate how much you should save.
- The 4% rule
A popular rule of thumb for pensioners is to withdraw 4% of their fund in the first year of retirement, and the same amount each year after, adjusted for inflation.
- The 50-70 rule
This rule suggests that you should aim for an annual income in retirement that is between 50% and 70% of your working income.
- The earlier you start, the better
The earlier you start saving for your pension, the less you'll need to save each month.
Other factors that affect how much you need to save for a pension include:
- Your State Pension entitlement
- The type of pension scheme you choose
- Your existing retirement savings
- The income and lifestyle you want in retirement
- The number of qualifying years you have for the State Pension
- Inflation