Use this armed forces pension calculator to estimate the pension you will get from the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2015. Enter your age, pensionable pay and any pension already built up, and it projects your yearly pension at retirement in today’s money, with the maximum tax-free lump sum.
Your estimated pension
- Pension a year
- –
- A month (before tax)
- –
- From future service
- –
- Maximum lump sum
- –
| Pay | Pension built up |
|---|
In the example, someone aged 25 earning £40,000 who stays in the scheme until 47 builds up a pension of about £18,723 a year in today’s money, or £1,560 a month before tax.
How to use the armed forces pension calculator
- Enter your age and the age you plan to take your pension.
- Enter your pensionable pay. If you work part time, use your actual pay.
- Add the pension you have already built up in this section of the scheme, from your annual benefit statement.
- Set pay rises above inflation, for example 0.5% to 1% for incremental pay progression.
How AFPS 15 works
AFPS 15 is a career average scheme for regular service personnel. Each year you earn 1/47 of your pensionable pay as pension, increased in line with average earnings while you serve. You pay no contributions. The pension is payable in full from age 60.
Early Departure Payment
If you leave aged 40 or over with at least 20 years’ service, you can get an Early Departure Payment: a tax-free lump sum and a monthly income until 60, when your full pension starts. If you leave earlier, your pension is preserved and paid from 60 (or 65 for some parts). The armed forces pension calculator shows the pension from 60.
Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2015 pension examples
| Pensionable pay | 10 years | 20 years | 30 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| £25,000 | £5,319 | £10,638 | £15,957 |
| £35,000 | £7,447 | £14,894 | £22,340 |
| £45,000 | £9,574 | £19,149 | £28,723 |
| £60,000 | £12,766 | £25,532 | £38,298 |
The armed forces pension calculator keeps everything in today’s money so you can compare the result with your current pay and living costs. Run the armed forces pension calculator again after each annual benefit statement to keep your plan up to date.
Lump sum options
You can usually give up some pension for a tax-free lump sum, at £12 of lump sum for every £1 a year of pension given up. The most you can take is roughly 4.3 times your yearly pension. In the example, that is about £80,243, leaving a pension of £12,036 a year.
Related pension calculators
Check when your State Pension starts with the state pension age calculator, and see the tax on your pension income with the pension tax calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay into the armed forces pension?
No. AFPS 15 is non-contributory, but the pension is still taxed when paid.
When can I take my armed forces pension?
From 60 in full, or earlier through the Early Departure Payment scheme if you qualify.
What about AFPS 75 or AFPS 05?
Older schemes have different rules. Service before April 2015 may be in them; check your statement.
Is there a lump sum?
You can commute part of your pension for a tax-free lump sum when it is paid.
About this calculator
This armed forces pension calculator uses the scheme rules published by the Ministry of Defence, checked on 9 November 2026. It shows figures in today’s money and does not include earlier final salary sections, added pension or survivor benefits. Your annual benefit statement and the official scheme calculator give exact figures.