Understand Your Payslip Line by Line

The salary they advertised and the number that actually lands in your account are two different figures, and nobody explains the gap. This walks through a UK payslip line by line: gross versus net, PAYE and your tax code, National Insurance, and pension auto-enrolment. For anyone staring at their first payslip wondering who took the rest.

<context>
You have just received your first payslip and it shows a lot less than your advertised salary. You want to understand what each deduction means.
</context>

<task>
Explain a standard UK payslip in plain English:
1. Gross pay vs net pay: why the two figures differ
2. Income tax: how PAYE works and what your tax code means
3. National Insurance: who pays it and what it funds
4. Pension: auto-enrolment, your contribution, and your employer's contribution
5. Student loan deductions: when they apply and how the threshold works
</task>

<output_format>
- One short paragraph per line item (40-60 words each)
- Red flag: one thing on a payslip that is worth querying with HR if it looks wrong
- Length: 280-350 words
- Tone: plain and reassuring
</output_format>