Answers · UK 2025/26
How much do I need to retire in the UK?
The PLSA says a comfortable single retirement needs £43,900/year; moderate £31,300; minimum £14,400. To generate £31,300 from drawdown using the 4% rule, you need ~£785,000 invested at retirement, plus State Pension £11,973. Couples need 1.5x single figures.
Full answer
The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) Retirement Living Standards 2025: minimum (essentials only, no car) £14,400/yr single, £22,400 couple. Moderate (occasional holidays, hobbies) £31,300/yr single, £43,100 couple. Comfortable (more holidays, regular spending) £43,900/yr single, £60,600 couple. Subtract State Pension £11,973 (2025/26) to find pot-funded income needed. Using the 4% drawdown rule (lasts ~30 years), divide income shortfall by 4%: a moderate single needs (£31,300 − £11,973) / 0.04 = £483k pot; a comfortable single needs ~£800k. Many UK retirees fall short — median DC pension at 65 is just £61k. Increase pension contributions, use salary sacrifice, and check State Pension forecast at gov.uk/check-state-pension.
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This answer is informational only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Figures are for the 2025/26 UK tax year. See our methodology and sources.