How maternity pay actually works
There are two layers. Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is the legal minimum: 90% of your average weekly earnings for the first 6 weeks, then 33 weeks at the lower of £194.32 or 90% of your earnings, then the rest of the year unpaid. To get it you need 26 weeks' service by the qualifying week and average earnings of at least £129 a week.
On top of that, many employers pay an occupational (enhanced) scheme — and this is where the numbers really differ. The NHS pays 8 weeks full, 18 weeks half pay plus SMP, then SMP and unpaid. Teachers get a Burgundy Book scheme; the civil service pays a long stretch of full pay. Pick your scheme above, or if you're in the private sector, build your own from your offer letter — the total can be thousands of pounds apart.
Spread it evenly — the tip most people miss
Occupational pay is normally front-loaded: full pay first, then it drops to half and then to statutory. That's a cliff in your monthly income right when a new baby is most expensive. Many employers will, on request, pay the same total in equal monthly instalments across the whole leave instead. Toggle "spread my pay evenly" above to see the smoothed figure — it's the single easiest thing to ask HR for.
Don't qualify for SMP?
If you've not got the service or earnings — common if you're self-employed or recently changed jobs — you may be able to claim Maternity Allowance instead: up to £194.32 a week (or 90% of your average weekly earnings, if that is less) for up to 39 weeks. Some self-employed people get less, down to £27 a week, depending on their Class 2 National Insurance. The calculator flags it if your earnings are below the threshold.
Planning the whole year rather than one payslip? A year on reduced pay can also pull your income under £100,000 and restore Tax-Free Childcare — worth checking with the Adjusted Net Income calculator.
Real-world tips
General pointers from how these schemes work — not advice. Always check your own employer's maternity policy.
- Ask to spread it evenly. Same total, steady monthly income instead of a front-loaded cliff. The easiest win — just ask HR.
- Watch salary sacrifice before you qualify. Sacrificing pay (extra pension, a car scheme) lowers the average weekly earnings your SMP is based on — sacrificing in the 8-week window before the 15th week pre-birth can quietly reduce your SMP.
- Half pay + SMP is capped at full pay. In the half-pay stage you get half pay plus SMP, but never more than your normal full pay.
- Use your Keeping In Touch days. You can work up to 10 KIT days without ending your leave or losing your SMP for those weeks. How they are paid is agreed with your employer: some pay your normal rate on top, others (the NHS among them) pay your normal rate less the maternity pay for that day.
- Your pension may keep building. On many occupational schemes (the NHS especially) your pension grows as if on full pay while your contributions are based on what you actually receive.
- Annual leave keeps accruing. You build holiday throughout leave and can add it to the start or end — extra paid time before any unpaid weeks.
- Check any return-to-work condition. Enhanced pay often assumes you return; some schemes ask for a minimum period back or repayment of part of the extra pay.
- Budget for the unpaid weeks. Most schemes end with unpaid leave — set a little aside during the paid stretch, or spread your pay evenly.
Frequently asked
How much maternity pay will I get?
On Statutory Maternity Pay: 90% of your average weekly earnings for 6 weeks, then 33 weeks at the lower of £194.32 or 90% of earnings, then unpaid. If your employer runs an occupational scheme (NHS, teaching, civil service, many larger firms) you'll get more — choose the preset above or build your own to see the total.
Can I spread my maternity pay evenly?
On an occupational scheme, usually yes — most employers will pay it in equal monthly instalments if you ask, instead of full-pay-then-half. The total is the same; it just smooths your income. Toggle "spread evenly" to compare.
What's the SMP rate for 2026/27?
£194.32 a week (or 90% of average weekly earnings if lower) for the 33 weeks after the first 6, which are 90% of earnings with no cap. You need 26 weeks' service and average earnings of at least £129 a week.
Can I work out pay for my own employer?
Yes. There are built-in presets for Statutory Maternity Pay, the NHS (Agenda for Change), teachers (Burgundy Book) and the civil service, plus a custom builder where you enter your own employer's pay stages — full pay, half pay plus SMP, SMP, unpaid — straight from your maternity policy or offer letter.
What if I don't qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay?
If you do not have the service or earnings for SMP — common for the self-employed or recent joiners — you may be able to claim Maternity Allowance instead: up to £194.32 a week (or 90% of average weekly earnings, if that is less) for up to 39 weeks. Some self-employed people get less, down to £27 a week, depending on their Class 2 National Insurance. The calculator flags this if your average weekly earnings are below the £129 threshold.
Is this advice?
No — it shows how the rules work and what your numbers look like. It's general information, not financial, tax or legal advice, and WealthR isn't FCA-authorised. Occupational schemes vary by employer and contract, so always check your own maternity policy and speak to HR or a qualified adviser.