How much should I save before maternity leave UK?

Save enough to cover your income shortfall plus baby essentials. Typical target: £3,000-8,000+ depending on your salary, employer policy, and planned leave length. Calculate: (normal income - maternity pay) × months off + baby essentials.

How much is Statutory Maternity Pay UK 2025?

SMP for 2025/26: 90% of average earnings for first 6 weeks, then £184.03/week (or 90% if lower) for remaining 33 weeks. Maximum 39 weeks paid. Many employers offer enhanced schemes paying more than this.

Can you survive on Statutory Maternity Pay UK?

Difficult without savings. SMP weeks 7-39 is only £184.03/week (£797/month). If your normal take-home is £2,500/month, you're £1,700/month short. Even with partner income, most need savings to bridge the gap.

When should I start saving for maternity leave UK?

Ideally 12-18 months before trying to conceive, or as soon as you know you're pregnant. Even 9 months of saving £300-500/month helps significantly. The earlier you start, the less pressure per month.

How Much to Save for Maternity Leave UK

Start here: Family Costs Hub.

Maternity leave often means a significant income drop. Here’s how to calculate what you need to save.

Understanding Maternity Pay

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) 2025/26

Period	Amount
Weeks 1-6	90% of average weekly earnings
Weeks 7-39	£184.03/week (or 90% if lower)
Weeks 40-52	Unpaid (if you take it)

Maternity Allowance (If Not Eligible for SMP)

Period	Amount
Weeks 1-39	£184.03/week (or 90% of earnings)
Who qualifies	Self-employed, recently changed jobs

Enhanced Maternity (Employer Schemes)

Type	Common Packages
Basic enhanced	8-12 weeks full pay + SMP
Good	16-26 weeks full pay
Excellent	26-52 weeks full pay
Public sector	Often 6 weeks 90% + 12 weeks half pay

Calculate Your Income Gap

Step 1: Your Normal Monthly Income

Take-Home Pay	Monthly
Your normal take-home	£_______
Partner’s take-home	£_______
Total household	£_______

Step 2: Your Maternity Income

Period	Your Pay	Monthly
Month 1-2 (90% SMP)	£_______	£_______
Month 2-9 (£184.03/week)	£797	£797
Month 10-12 (unpaid)	£0	£0

Step 3: Your Monthly Shortfall

Calculation	Amount
Normal household income	£_______
Your maternity pay	- £_______
Shortfall per month	= £_______

Example Calculation

Scenario: £35,000 Salary	Monthly
Normal take-home	£2,350
During 90% period (weeks 1-6)
90% of £673/week gross	~£2,100
Shortfall	£250/month
During £184.03/week period
£797/month	£797
Shortfall	£1,553/month
Unpaid period
£0	£0
Shortfall	£2,350/month

Total Savings Target

Minimum Savings (9 Months Off)

Period	Months	Shortfall/Month	Total
90% pay	1.5	£250	£375
SMP only	7.5	£1,500	£11,250
Total minimum	9		£11,625

If Taking Unpaid Leave (12 Months Off)

Period	Months	Shortfall/Month	Total
90% pay	1.5	£250	£375
SMP only	7.5	£1,500	£11,250
Unpaid	3	£2,350	£7,050
Total	12		£18,675

Real-World Targets by Salary

Salary	9 Months Target	12 Months Target
£25,000	£6,000-8,000	£10,000-12,000
£35,000	£10,000-12,000	£16,000-20,000
£45,000	£14,000-16,000	£22,000-26,000
£55,000	£18,000-20,000	£28,000-32,000

Reducing Your Target

Ways to Lower Savings Needed

Strategy	Saving
Return to work earlier	Less unpaid time
Partner’s income	Covers basics
Reduce household expenses	Lower shortfall
Enhanced employer package	Less gap to fill
Shared Parental Leave	Split with partner

Budget Cuts During Maternity

Area	Potential Monthly Saving
Subscriptions	£50-100
Eating out	£100-200
Clothes shopping	£50-100
Commuting (gone!)	£150-300
Socialising	£100-200
Potential total	£450-900

Baby Costs to Include

Essential One-Off Purchases

Item	Budget Cost	Mid-Range
Cot/crib	£50-100	£150-300
Mattress	£30-50	£80-150
Pram/travel system	£150-300	£400-800
Car seat	£50-100	£150-300
Moses basket	£30-50	£80-150
Changing mat/station	£20-40	£50-150
Baby monitor	£30-50	£80-200
Clothes (newborn)	£100-150	£200-400
Feeding equipment	£50-100	£150-300
Essentials total	£510-940	£1,340-2,750

Monthly Baby Costs

Cost	Budget	Mid-Range
Nappies	£40-50	£50-80
Formula (if used)	£0-80	£0-120
Baby food (from 6m)	£30-50	£50-100
Wipes/toiletries	£15-25	£25-40
Clothes (ongoing)	£20-40	£40-100
Monthly total	£105-245	£165-440

Savings Timeline

Ideal: 18 Months Before Leave

Month	Action	Target
1-6	Assess employer package	Research
6-12	Build savings aggressively	£500/month
12-18	Continue + buy essentials	£400/month + items
Total saved		£8,000-10,000

If Already Pregnant

Trimester	Focus
First	Calculate needs, start saving
Second	Aggressive saving, reduce expenses
Third	Buy essentials, finalise budget

Monthly Saving Targets

Time Available	Target per Month
18 months	£400-500
12 months	£600-800
9 months	£800-1,000
6 months	£1,200-1,500

Other Financial Prep

Before Maternity Leave

Action	Why
Check employer policy	Know exact entitlements
Review household budget	Find cuts now
Clear high-interest debt	Reduce monthly outgoings
Build emergency fund	Separate from maternity fund
Check benefits eligibility	Child Benefit, Tax-Free Childcare

Benefits to Claim

Benefit	Amount
Child Benefit	£26.05/week first child
Tax-Free Childcare	20% on childcare costs
Sure Start Maternity Grant	£500 one-off (if eligible)
Universal Credit	If income drops enough

Your Checklist

Action	Done?
Check employer maternity policy	☐
Calculate income shortfall	☐
Set savings target	☐
Set up dedicated savings account	☐
Review and cut expenses	☐
Plan baby essentials budget	☐
Research benefits to claim	☐
Discuss with partner	☐

Partner’s Leave

Shared Parental Leave

Feature	Details
Total leave	50 weeks shareable
Pay	Up to 37 weeks ShPP
ShPP rate	£184.03/week
Can take	At same time or separately

Paternity Leave/Pay

Entitlement	Details
Duration	1 or 2 weeks
Pay	£184.03/week (or 90% if lower)
When	Within 8 weeks of birth

Summary

Your Maternity Savings Target

Calculate	Amount
Monthly shortfall in pay	£_______
× Months taking leave	× _______
+ Baby essentials	+ £_______
+ Buffer (10-20%)	+ £_______
= Your savings target	£_______

Quick Guide by Situation

Situation	Target Range
Enhanced employer scheme + short leave	£3,000-5,000
SMP only, 9 months	£8,000-15,000
SMP only, 12 months	£12,000-25,000
Self-employed (MA only)	£10,000-20,000

Key Actions

Priority	Action
1	Check your employer’s maternity policy
2	Calculate your personal shortfall
3	Start saving as early as possible
4	Look for expenses to cut
5	Plan baby essentials budget
6	Apply for benefits when eligible