Help to Save Calculator

Calculate Help to Save returns with the 50% government bonus. Max £50/month for 4 years.

Last updated: April 2026 · Source: GOV.UK

£

After 4 Years

£3,600.00

You save £2,400.00 + 50% govt bonus £1,200.00

Help to Save: 50% government bonus on savings up to £50/month for 4 years. Must be receiving Working Tax Credit or Universal Credit. Max bonus: £1,200.

Disclaimer

This calculator is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial or tax advice. All calculations are performed locally in your browser — no personal data is collected or sent to our servers. Rates and thresholds are sourced from HMRC and GOV.UK and are updated for the current tax year. Always verify results with HMRC or consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

How It Works

Help to Save is a government savings scheme for people receiving Working Tax Credit, Universal Credit (with minimum earnings equivalent to 16 hours at National Living Wage), or both. You can save between £1 and £50 per month for four years. The government pays a 50% bonus on the highest balance achieved, calculated at two points: after year 2 and again after year 4.

The first bonus at the end of year 2 is 50% of the highest balance reached in months 1-24. If you saved £50 every month, your highest balance would be £1,200, earning a £600 bonus. The second bonus at year 4 is 50% of the difference between the highest balance in months 25-48 and the highest balance at the time of the first bonus. If you continue saving £50/month, the year 4 highest balance is £2,400, and the second bonus is 50% x (£2,400 - £1,200) = £600.

Maximum total bonus is £1,200 (£600 at year 2 + £600 at year 4) on total savings of £2,400. You can withdraw at any time without losing future eligibility, but withdrawals reduce the highest balance calculation. The bonus is equivalent to a 50% return on savings, far exceeding any savings account rate. The calculator models different monthly contribution amounts and shows the impact of withdrawals on bonus calculations.

Help to Save: £40/month for 4 years

  1. Monthly contribution: £40
  2. Highest balance after 24 months: £40 x 24 = £960
  3. First bonus (50% of highest balance): £960 x 50% = £480
  4. Highest balance after 48 months: £40 x 48 = £1,920
  5. Second bonus: 50% x (£1,920 - £960) = £480. Total bonuses: £960 on £1,920 saved

Source: GOV.UK

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Help to Save Calculator do?
Calculate Help to Save returns with the 50% government bonus. Max £50/month for 4 years. All calculations are performed in your browser using official UK rates and thresholds.
Is this calculator suitable for financial decisions?
This calculator provides estimates for guidance only. Investment returns are not guaranteed and your capital is at risk. Consider seeking independent financial advice before making investment decisions.
Are ISA contributions tax-free?
Yes. The annual ISA allowance for 2025/26 is £20,000. Any interest, dividends or capital gains within an ISA are completely tax-free.