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Help to Save Calculator

Calculate your potential savings and government bonus with the Help to Save scheme. Save up to £50/month and earn a 50% bonus.

Your Savings Plan

£

You can save between £1 and £50 per month

%

The government pays a 50% bonus on your savings. Maximum bonus: £1,200 over 4 years.

Total Value (Savings + Bonus)

£3,910

Including £1,303 government bonus

You Save

£2,400

Interest Earned

£206.64

Year 2 Bonus

£626

Year 4 Bonus

£678

How Your Bonus is Calculated

Year 2 Bonus

50% of highest balance (£1,251)

£626

Year 4 Bonus

50% of highest balance increase (£1,355)

£678

Understanding the Help to Save Scheme

The Help to Save scheme is a UK government initiative designed to encourage people on low incomes to build up a savings habit. It offers a generous 50% bonus on savings, which is paid out over four years. For every £1 you save, the government adds 50p. You can save up to £50 per month, meaning you can save a total of £2,400 and earn up to £1,200 in tax-free bonuses.

Eligibility is linked to certain benefits. You can open a Help to Save account if you receive Working Tax Credit, are entitled to Working Tax Credit and receive Child Tax Credit, or claim Universal Credit and have a household or individual income of at least £722.45. This calculator from Calculator Site helps you visualise how your savings can grow with the fantastic bonus offered. You can also check your eligibility on the official GOV.UK website.

Maximise Your Bonus

The two bonus payments are based on your highest balance achieved during the first two years and then the second two years. This means that even if you withdraw money, the bonus is calculated on the peak amount you saved. To get the maximum £1,200 bonus, you would need to save the full £50 each month for four years without making withdrawals. Planning your budget with our Take-Home Pay Calculator can help you stick to your savings goal.

Help to Save by the Numbers

The scheme has some simple but powerful headline figures. Understanding these key numbers helps clarify exactly what you can achieve with this savings account.

£1,200

Maximum Tax-Free Bonus

£50

Maximum Monthly Saving

4 Years

Total Scheme Duration

These figures combine to make a significant difference. Saving £2,400 over four years and receiving £1,200 back is an unbeatable 50% return on your money, risk-free. It is a great way to build a fund for a specific goal, like a car deposit (see our Car Finance Calculator) or just an emergency fund.

How to use this Calculator Site tool

Simply enter the amount you plan to save each month (from £1 to £50) into the input field. The calculator will instantly show you the total value of your savings after four years, including the two government bonus payments. You can also adjust the saving period to see how your balance would look after one, two, or three years. This gives you a clear picture of your potential returns.

Frequently Asked Questions