PensionBee launches calculator showing the scale of pension shortfall for workers outside auto-enrolment

London 27 April, 2026: PensionBee, a leading online retirement savings provider, has launched a new calculator showing how much people lose by missing out on workplace pension contributions via auto-enrolment, with “invisible workers” hit hardest, from the self-employed and gig workers to part-time earners and those taking career breaks.  

The calculator allows individuals to enter details such as their income, how long they worked without Auto-Enrolment and how many years remain until retirement, and then estimates the impact of missed employer contributions and long term investment growth and how this affects their savings at retirement. The results are illustrative estimates based on typical assumptions and are intended to show the potential scale of missed savings, rather than provide a precise forecast.

For example, someone earning £25,000 who spends thirty years outside Auto-Enrolment could potentially miss out on around £70,000 by retirement once employer contributions and investment growth are taken into account.

The calculator is part of PensionBee’s ongoing Invisible Workers campaign, which aims to draw attention to the growing number of people whose working patterns do not fit neatly within the pension system.

Research by PensionBee has found that irregular income and uncertainty over how much they can afford to save are key barriers for the self-employed, despite a clear willingness to build financial security for later life.

The challenge is becoming more pressing as the nature of work continues to change. Freelancing, contract work and gig economy roles are growing across the UK, while more people take career breaks to care for family members or manage other responsibilities. Pensions falling down the priority list means many risk reaching retirement with insufficient savings.

Maike Currie, VP Personal Finance at PensionBee comments: “Auto-Enrolment has been one of the UK’s most successful workplace pension policies, but it was built for traditional, payroll-based employment. A growing share of workers simply do not fit that model, leaving millions outside the net of auto-enrolment.

“The self-employed, freelancers, gig workers and carers often miss out on employer contributions entirely. Over time, those gaps compound, leading to a significant shortfall in retirement savings.This calculator makes that gap visible. Once you see the long term impact, the case for starting early and contributing consistently becomes much clearer - especially for those outside traditional employment. 

“The bigger challenge is ensuring the pension system keeps pace with how people work today. Millions contribute to the economy yet are excluded from the structures designed to support retirement saving. Thankfully, personal pensions help bridge that gap - they’re available to everyone, and straightforward to set up. Unlike workplace schemes, a personal pension travels with you as your working life changes and evolves. They’re also flexible - allowing contributions to rise and fall with earnings, making them well suited to modern, less predictable working lives.”

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