Pay rise
calculator
HR sells you the gross number. We show you the bit that actually lands in your account — and warn you if the new salary drags you into the 60% trap.
Net rise + monthly impact
Annual net increase and what it actually means in your monthly pay.
Marginal rate revealed
What % of every extra £1 you keep — including NI and the higher-rate jump.
60% trap warning
Flags raises that drag you into the £100k personal allowance taper.
Pay rise calculator
See how much of your raise you actually keep — and whether the new salary tips you into a higher tax band.
Marginal rates by band (2026/27)
Common questions
Why do I keep so little of my pay rise?
Tax thresholds have been frozen since April 2021. As your salary grows past £50,270, the marginal rate jumps from 28% (20% tax + 8% NI) to 42% (40% tax + 2% NI). Between £100,000 and £125,140 it spikes to 62% because the personal allowance tapers away.
What is the £100k 60% trap?
For every £2 you earn above £100,000, you lose £1 of personal allowance. By £125,140 you’ve lost it entirely. That £25,140 band is taxed at an effective 60% income tax rate (62% with NI). Many people pension-sacrifice the excess to dodge it — at £100,001, sacrificing £1 saves you £0.60 in tax.
Should I take a smaller raise to stay in a lower band?
Almost never. You only ever pay the higher rate on the part of your income above the threshold. The exception is the 60% trap (£100k–£125,140) and benefits cliffs like the High Income Child Benefit Charge or the £100k childcare cut-off — those are real reasons to use pension contributions to stay below the line.
Does this account for student loans?
Not in this tool — head to the take-home pay calculator if you want student loan deductions modelled. Plan 1, 2, 4 and 5 add another 9% above each plan’s threshold; postgraduate adds 6% above £21,000.
What about pension contributions on the raise?
The calculator shows the raw cash impact. If your pension is salary sacrifice, you can effectively divert the rise into your pension and skip tax + NI on it — useful especially if the rise crosses a band. See the salary sacrifice calculator for the maths.
Boss promised a raise that never landed?
Promised pay rise withheld? Bonus clawback? We’ll help you write the letter that lands it properly.
Start your free complaint