Maternity Pay Planner United Kingdom

What the maternity pay planner does

The planner estimates the Statutory Maternity Pay you could receive during maternity leave and shows how it changes part way through. It takes your average weekly earnings and works out the higher rate for the first six weeks, the lower rate afterwards and the total over the statutory period.

SMP starts higher and then steps down, so the amount reaching your account changes during your leave. Seeing week-by-week and total figures helps you budget for the months when pay is lower.

How Statutory Maternity Pay is structured

For the first six weeks you receive 90% of your average weekly earnings, with no upper limit, so this period tracks your actual pay.

For the remaining 33 weeks the rate is the lower of a flat weekly amount, £194.32 for 2026/27, and 90% of your average weekly earnings. Most employees earn enough that their payment drops to the flat rate; lower earners whose 90% is below it keep receiving 90%. The planner applies whichever is lower.

The two rates explained

• First six weeks: always 90% of your average weekly earnings, with no cap, so a higher salary gives a higher figure.
• Remaining weeks: the lower of the flat weekly rate and 90% of your earnings.

For example, with average weekly earnings of £600, the first six weeks pay £540 a week (£3,240), and the next 33 weeks pay £194.32 a week (£6,412.56), £9,652.56 in total. The drop after week six is the point many households overlook, and budgeting as though the higher rate continues can leave a shortfall later.

Qualifying for Statutory Maternity Pay

SMP is not automatic. You generally need to have been employed continuously by the same employer for at least 26 weeks into the 15th week before the baby is due, to still be employed in that week, to give the correct notice and to have average weekly earnings of at least the lower earnings limit, £129 a week for 2026/27.

If your earnings are below the limit you would not get SMP, but you may be able to claim Maternity Allowance instead. The planner returns zero in that case, which is a prompt to check the alternative.

What you need to enter

Enter your average weekly earnings before tax. These are normally worked out from your gross pay over a set reference period before your baby is due, so they reflect recent earnings rather than a headline salary.

If your pay varies, or you had a pay rise or bonus in the reference period, the average can differ from your usual weekly wage. Overtime, commission and bonuses paid in the period count towards it. An accurate average matters most for the first six weeks, which are uncapped.

Reading your result

The planner shows the weekly amount for the first six weeks, the weekly amount for the following weeks and the total. The gap between the two weekly figures is the key number for month-by-month budgeting.

The total is gross. Income Tax and National Insurance are deducted from SMP as from wages, so the amount you receive is lower. Treat the total as your statutory entitlement before tax and before any enhanced scheme your employer runs.

When to use this tool

• To estimate your total Statutory Maternity Pay before your leave begins.
• To see when and by how much your weekly pay will drop.
• To check whether your earnings reach the lower earnings limit.
• To build a household budget for the months on reduced income.

The flat rate, the lower earnings limit and the number of weeks are set by government and can change each year, so recalculate when they are updated or your earnings change, and confirm your entitlement with your employer.

Combining maternity pay with other support

Many employers offer enhanced maternity pay that tops up the statutory figure for part of the leave, sometimes to full pay for the early weeks. Schemes vary widely, so check your contract or staff handbook; the planner’s figure is the guaranteed minimum beneath any enhancement.

Lower household income during leave can also bring new entitlement to means-tested help, and your partner’s leave and pay may be relevant through shared parental leave. If you do not qualify for SMP, look at Maternity Allowance. Statutory pay, any enhancement and other support together give a more realistic view of your income than the statutory figure alone.

This is general information only and not financial advice.

About This Maternity Pay Calculator

Use this Maternity pay calculator to get an instant, accurate estimate. The figures follow official GOV.UK guidance and every rate and threshold is kept up to date for 2026. Adjust the inputs above to match your situation, or browse all our calculators to plan your next step.