Benefit Taper Calculator
Explore how Universal Credit's 55% taper rate and work allowances determine net income at every earnings level. Toggle the housing element, enable a comparison with the pre-December 2021 63% taper, and spotlight any earnings point to see the effective marginal rate you face.
At the current 55% taper, you keep 45p of every £1 earned above the work allowance threshold.
See Ch. 16 — The Score for how taper rates relate to algorithmic benefit design.
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Taper rate: 55% (adjustable via slider). Work allowance threshold applied: £673/month (no housing element). UC exhausts at approximately £1390 gross monthly earnings. Taper rate matches 55% baseline — no fiscal delta. Reference line inactive. Enable it to compare with the pre-2021 63% taper.