How much is maternity pay in the UK?

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is 90% of average weekly earnings for the first 6 weeks, then £187.18/week (or 90% if lower) for the remaining 33 weeks. Many employers offer enhanced maternity pay above this.

Do I qualify for maternity pay?

For SMP, you need to have worked for your employer for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before your due date, and earn at least £125/week on average. If you don't qualify, you may be eligible for Maternity Allowance.

How long is maternity pay?

Statutory Maternity Pay is paid for up to 39 weeks. You can take up to 52 weeks maternity leave in total, but the final 13 weeks are unpaid unless your employer offers enhanced pay.

When should I start my maternity leave?

You can start maternity leave any time from 11 weeks before your due date. Most women start between 1-2 weeks before. If you're off sick with a pregnancy-related illness in the last 4 weeks, maternity leave may start automatically.

Maternity Pay Calculator — How Much You'll Get in 2026 | PocketWise

If you are planning pregnancy, maternity, paternity, and childcare support together, use the Maternity and Family Benefits Hub as your main navigation page.

Planning your finances for maternity leave is crucial. Here’s how to calculate what you’ll receive.

Types of Maternity Pay

Overview

Type	Who Gets It
Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)	Employees meeting criteria
Maternity Allowance	Self-employed or don’t qualify for SMP
Enhanced Maternity Pay	If employer offers more than statutory
Shared Parental Pay	If sharing leave with partner

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)

How Much You’ll Receive (2025/26)

Period	Amount
Weeks 1-6	90% of average weekly earnings
Weeks 7-39	£187.18/week (or 90% if lower)
Weeks 40-52	Unpaid

SMP Examples

Your Weekly Pay	Weeks 1-6	Weeks 7-39	Total (39 weeks)
£200/week	£180 (90%)	£180	£7,020
£300/week	£270 (90%)	£187.18	£7,798
£400/week	£360 (90%)	£187.18	£8,346
£500/week	£450 (90%)	£187.18	£8,877
£600/week	£540 (90%)	£187.18	£9,417
£800/week	£720 (90%)	£187.18	£10,497

*Note: If 90% of your earnings is less than £187.18, you receive 90% for all 39 weeks.

Monthly Equivalents

Weekly SMP	Monthly (4.33 weeks)
£187.18	£810.49
£250	£1,082.50
£350	£1,515.50
£450	£1,948.50

SMP Eligibility

You Qualify If You:

Requirement	Details
Employment length	26 weeks by 15th week before due date
Still employed	At 15th week before due date
Earnings	Average £125/week over 8-week period
Notice given	Told employer by 15th week before due date

Calculating the Qualifying Week

Due Date	15th Week Before	Start Work By
1 March	Mid-November	May
1 June	Mid-February	August
1 September	Mid-May	November
1 December	Mid-August	February

Count back 15 weeks from your due date, then you need 26 weeks service before that.

Maternity Allowance

If You Don’t Qualify for SMP

You May Get MA If	Details
Self-employed	At least 26 weeks in last 66 weeks
Not enough service	Employed but not 26 weeks
Earned enough	£30/week average over 13 weeks

Maternity Allowance Rates (2025/26)

MA Amount	Duration
£187.18/week (or 90% of earnings)	Up to 39 weeks

MA Eligibility

Requirement	Details
Worked 26 of last 66 weeks	Employed or self-employed
Earned average of £30/week	Over any 13 weeks
Apply	Via gov.uk or post

Enhanced Maternity Pay

What Employers May Offer

Enhancement Level	What It Means
Basic	SMP only (minimum legal)
Good	Full pay for 8-12 weeks + SMP
Excellent	Full pay for 16-26 weeks + SMP
Best	Full pay for 26+ weeks

Example Enhanced Packages

Example Policy	What You’d Get
8 weeks full pay + 31 weeks SMP	Much better than statutory alone
12 weeks full pay + 12 weeks half pay + 15 weeks SMP	Common in public sector
26 weeks full pay + 13 weeks SMP	Generous private sector

Finding Out Your Entitlement

Source	Check
Employment contract	Maternity pay section
Staff handbook	Family-friendly policies
HR department	Ask directly
Intranet	Policy documents

SMP Calculation Walkthrough

Example: £35,000 Salary

Your Details	Figure
Annual salary	£35,000
Weekly pay	£673.08
90% of weekly	£605.77

Period	Weekly Pay	Weeks	Total
Weeks 1-6	£605.77	6	£3,635
Weeks 7-39	£187.18	33	£6,177
Total SMP			£9,812

Comparison	Amount
Normal pay (39 weeks)	£26,250
SMP	£9,812
Shortfall	£16,438

Planning Your Finances

Income Reduction Impact

Salary	Normal Monthly	SMP Monthly (wks 7+)	Reduction
£25,000	£2,083	£810	-61%
£30,000	£2,500	£810	-68%
£35,000	£2,917	£810	-72%
£40,000	£3,333	£810	-76%
£50,000	£4,167	£810	-81%

*After first 6 weeks at higher rate.

Preparing for Maternity Leave

Action	When
Check entitlement	Early pregnancy
Calculate income drop	As soon as possible
Build savings	Throughout pregnancy
Review budget	Before leave starts
Check benefits eligibility	2nd trimester

Building a Maternity Fund

Monthly Saving	Over 6 Months	Over 9 Months
£200	£1,200	£1,800
£300	£1,800	£2,700
£500	£3,000	£4,500

Other Benefits to Claim

Universal Credit During Maternity

Situation	Eligibility
Low household income	May qualify
Partner not working	More likely eligible
Self-employed	May qualify

Child Benefit

What	Amount
First child	£26.05/week (£1,354.60/year)
Subsequent children	£17.25/week each

Sure Start Maternity Grant

Maternity Leave Timeline

Key Dates

Event	Timing
Earliest leave start	11 weeks before due date
Typical leave start	1-2 weeks before due date
Compulsory leave	2 weeks after birth (4 weeks for factory work)
SMP ends	39 weeks after start
Maximum leave	52 weeks from start

SMP Payment Timeline

Month of Leave	What You Receive
Month 1	90% pay (high rate)
Month 2	Part 90%, part £187.18
Months 3-9	£187.18/week
Months 10+	Unpaid (if taking full leave)

Shared Parental Leave and Pay

Converting Maternity to SPL

What You Can Do	Details
End maternity early	After 2 weeks
Convert remaining to SPL	Share with partner
Both take leave	At same time or separately
Paid weeks	Up to 37 weeks total between both

SPL Pay Rates

ShPP Rate	Amount
Standard	£187.18/week
Or 90%	If earnings lower
Duration	Remaining weeks from maternity

Tax and Deductions

SMP Is Taxable

Deduction	Applies to SMP
Income tax	Yes
National Insurance	Yes
Pension contributions	May continue
Student loan	Only if earning above threshold

Example Net SMP

Weekly SMP	Tax	NI	Net
£187.18	£0-20	£0-5	~£165-170

*Exact deductions depend on tax code and other income.

Keeping in Touch (KIT) Days

Working During Maternity Leave

Allowance	10 KIT days
What	Work without ending maternity
Pay	Agreed with employer
SMP	Still receive
When	Any time during leave

KIT Day Payment

Arrangement	Common Approach
Full day’s pay	On top of SMP
Day minus SMP	Some employers offset
Agreed rate	Negotiate beforehand

Summary

Key Figure	2025/26 Rate
SMP weeks 1-6	90% of earnings
SMP weeks 7-39	£187.18/week
Maternity Allowance	Up to £187.18/week
Total paid weeks	39
Total leave allowed	52 weeks

Planning Step	Action
Check eligibility	26 weeks service needed
Check enhanced pay	Ask employer
Calculate income	Use Tables above
Build savings	Start early
Claim benefits	Child Benefit, UC if eligible

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