Two pot withdrawal tax calculator
Thinking of dipping into your savings pot? The withdrawal is added to your income and taxed at your marginal rate, so what lands in your account is less than what you take out. See the real number before you decide. No signup, nothing leaves this page.
How this works
Since 1 September 2024, one third of your new retirement contributions goes into a savings pot you can access before retirement. You can make one withdrawal per fund per tax year, minimum R2 000, up to your full savings pot balance.
The catch is tax. A savings pot withdrawal is not taxed like a retirement lump sum with its tax free portion; it is added on top of your other income and taxed at your marginal rate, between 18% and 45%. Your fund applies to SARS for a tax directive, SARS works out the rate from your income, and the fund pays you the balance. If you have outstanding tax debt, SARS can instruct the fund to settle it from your withdrawal first.
This calculator adds the withdrawal to your annual income and works out the extra tax using the 2026/27 tables, which is what the withdrawal ultimately costs you for the year. If you earn below the tax threshold, some or all of the withdrawal can effectively be tax free once your rebate is used.
Frequently asked questions
How much tax will I pay if I withdraw R30 000 from my two pot?
It depends on your income. On a R300 000 salary your marginal rate is 26%, so a R30 000 withdrawal costs about R7 800 in tax and you receive about R22 200. Use the calculator above with your own income for the exact split.
How many times can I withdraw from the savings pot?
Once per tax year per retirement fund, with a minimum of R2 000 each time. The tax year runs from 1 March to the end of February. If you have more than one fund, each fund allows its own annual withdrawal.
Why did SARS take more tax than I expected from my withdrawal?
Two common reasons: the directive uses your marginal rate, which is higher than your average rate, and if you have outstanding tax debt SARS attaches it to the directive and deducts it from the payout too.
Is it a good idea to withdraw from the two pot system?
It is expensive money. You lose the tax you pay now, plus all the compound growth that amount would have earned until retirement. R20 000 withdrawn at 35 could have been well over R200 000 at 65. Treat it as a last resort for genuine emergencies.
Do I pay tax on the two pot withdrawal if I am unemployed?
If your total taxable income for the year, including the withdrawal, stays under the R99 000 tax threshold, the withdrawal is effectively tax free. The directive may still withhold tax upfront, which you get back when you file your return.
Withdrawing because of a dispute you should not be paying for?
The Escalations Toolkit covers courier disputes, chargebacks and refund workflows that hold up. Fixed price, R890.
View the toolkitThis estimate uses the SARS 2026/27 tax tables (checked August 2026) and assumes the under 65 rebate. The actual directive amount SARS issues can differ, and fund fees are not included. Free tools are estimates. Packs are templates and guidance, not legal or financial advice.