Pension Advice for 40 Year Olds
At 40, your pension priorities are increasing contributions and reviewing your investment strategy. You have built some savings but may need to accelerate to stay on track for a comfortable retirement.
How Much Should You Have Saved at 40?
A common benchmark is to have 3x your annual salary saved in your pension by age 40. On a median UK salary of £35,000, that means approximately £105,000 in pension savings.
Quick check: If you are in your 40s with less than £105,000 saved, consider increasing contributions. Even an extra £100/month makes a significant difference over time.
Key Priorities at 40
- Aim to increase contributions with every pay rise — even 1% extra per year adds up
- Consolidate old workplace pensions from previous jobs to reduce fees
- Review your investment fund choice and ensure it matches your risk profile
- If self-employed, ensure you have a pension in place and are contributing regularly
Frequently Asked Questions
This guide covers the key aspects of pension advice for 40 year olds. The answer depends on your specific circumstances, but the information above provides comprehensive guidance.
For significant pension decisions, professional advice from an FCA-regulated adviser is recommended. The cost is typically recovered through better tax planning and investment strategies.
Initial pension advice typically costs £500-£3,000 depending on the complexity. Ongoing management is usually 0.5-1% per year. Through PensionHelper, our matching service is free.
The annual allowance for pension contributions is £60,000 for the 2025/26 tax year (or 100% of your earnings, whichever is lower). Higher earners may face a tapered allowance.
Basic rate taxpayers get 20% relief automatically. Higher rate (40%) and additional rate (45%) taxpayers claim extra relief through Self Assessment. Salary sacrifice saves National Insurance too.
Currently from age 55, rising to 57 from April 2028. You can take 25% tax-free and access the rest through drawdown, annuity, or lump sum withdrawals.