Can one of you step back from work — and stay financially stable?
In a couple of minutes, you'll see whether your plan is viable, how far off it is if not, and the closest workable version modelled on your numbers — including tax thresholds, childcare entitlement, Child Benefit, student loans and the long-term pension gap.
This is a financial model, not regulated financial advice. Clearset produces scenario modelling based on the numbers you enter and published UK tax rules. It does not make recommendations. Always consult a qualified financial adviser before making major financial decisions.
This is the kind of answer the pack gives on your own numbers.
How it works
From your numbers to a clear answer in four steps
1
Start the free check
Enter your household incomes, childcare costs, and housing. Most households complete this in 2–4 minutes.
2
Get the full pack
One payment of £79. No subscription, no account required. Immediate access to the full model.
3
Enter your household details
A structured intake flow collects the information needed to run the full UK tax and threshold calculations.
4
See the result
A side-by-side comparison of both paths, the three variables that matter most in your situation, and a 10-year pension trajectory.
What the full pack includes
A complete answer, not a directional guess
Side-by-side comparison
Both paths shown together — current household vs step-back — with annual net income, monthly surplus or deficit, and the year-one difference to the nearest pound.
The three variables that matter most
A plain-English explanation of the specific factors driving your result. Not a generic list — the ones that actually affect your numbers.
Full UK tax and threshold logic
The £100k personal allowance taper, HICBC by child count, salary sacrifice interactions, 30-hour childcare eligibility, and Tax-Free Childcare — all calculated, not estimated.
10-year pension trajectory
What the pension gap looks like compounded over time. The long-term cost of a step-back is often larger than the short-term cash flow change, and it is shown clearly.
Results are available immediately after completing the intake flow. No waiting, no callback, no human in the loop.
Built for this decision
This is not a general financial planning tool. It is built for one question: can one parent step back from work? Every input, calculation, and output is designed around that decision.
UK-specific throughout
UK tax rates, NI thresholds, HICBC rules, childcare entitlement logic, and salary sacrifice interactions. Not a generic model adapted for UK use.
Modelling, not advice
Clearset is a financial model, not a regulated adviser. The output is a structured scenario comparison based on your numbers — not a recommendation on what to do.
What the model accounts for
The rules most calculators miss
These four factors interact with each other and with your specific income level. Modelling them in isolation — as most tools do — gives an incomplete picture.
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The £100k personal allowance withdrawal
Above £100k, the personal allowance tapers at £1 for every £2 earned, creating an effective 60% marginal rate between £100k–£125,140. A step-back that moves income below this threshold restores the allowance — and that saving is significant.
Direction depends on your income
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High Income Child Benefit Charge
The HICBC claws back child benefit when the higher earner individually exceeds £60k. It is applied per person, not per household. The clawback amount depends on the number of children — and a lower individual income after the step-back changes this figure directly.
Often reduces after step-back
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30-hour free childcare eligibility
The 30-hour entitlement requires both parents to be working at least 16 hours per week. Stopping work entirely removes eligibility. For households with children aged 3–4, this is worth approximately £6,000 per year and must be included in the comparison.
Lost if one parent stops entirely
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Pension contribution gap
Reduced or zero contributions during the step-back create a compounding shortfall. Employer contributions — calculated as a percentage of a lower salary — also fall. The model shows the 10-year pension impact, which is typically larger than the short-term cash flow change.
Long-term impact often underestimated
The Step-Back Pack
Full UK tax logic. Side-by-side scenario comparison. The three variables that matter most in your situation, quantified. 10-year pension trajectory. Available immediately on purchase.