Maternity & Paternity Pay Calculator
Used to calculate your Average Weekly Earnings (AWE)
Due Date & Leave Start (optional)
6 weeks at 90%, 33 weeks at £187.18/wk, 13 unpaid
Enhanced Maternity Pay
KIT Days (Keeping In Touch)
You can work up to 10 KIT days during maternity leave without losing your SMP. Paid at your normal daily rate.
Annual Holiday Entitlement
You continue to accrue holiday during all 52 weeks of maternity leave (including unpaid). This is often forgotten!
Total Gross Pay
£9,812
Over 39 paid weeks
Estimated Deductions
£108
Tax + NI
Estimated Net Pay
£9,704
~£1,078/month
Pay Over Time
How your weekly gross pay changes across your leave.
Holiday Accrual During Leave
You'll accrue 28 days of annual leave during your 52-week leave, worth approximately £3,769.
You can take this holiday before or after your leave, or your employer may pay it in lieu.
Impact on Your Monthly Income
Normal Monthly Net
£2,393
Average During Leave
£1,078
Pay Phases
SMP — 90% of AWE
90% of your average weekly earnings
£605.77/wk
6 weeks · £3,635 total
SMP — Statutory Rate
Lower of £187.18/wk or 90% AWE
£187.18/wk
33 weeks · £6,177 total
Unpaid Leave
Optional additional maternity leave (unpaid)
£0/wk
13 weeks · £0 total
Estimated Deductions
Estimates based on annualised statutory pay. Actual PAYE may vary (you may get refunds in low-pay months).
Understanding Maternity Pay in the UK
Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid by your employer for up to 39 weeks. The first 6 weeks are at 90% of your average weekly earnings (AWE), then the remaining 33 weeks are at the lower of £187.18/wk or 90% of AWE. You can take up to 52 weeks of maternity leave in total, but the last 13 weeks are unpaid.
SMP Quick Reference
| Period | Weeks | Rate | Taxable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMP (higher rate) | 1–6 | 90% of AWE | Yes |
| SMP (lower rate) | 7–39 | Lower of £187.18/wk or 90% AWE | Yes |
| Additional leave | 40–52 | Unpaid | N/A |
| Paternity pay | 1–2 | Lower of £187.18/wk or 90% AWE | Yes |
| Shared parental pay | Up to 37 | Lower of £187.18/wk or 90% AWE | Yes |
| Maternity Allowance | Up to 39 | £187.18/wk (or £27/wk reduced) | No (tax-free) |
Enhanced Maternity Pay Explained
Many employers offer enhanced maternity pay above the statutory minimum. Common packages include:
Generous
16 weeks full pay, 8 weeks half pay + SMP, then statutory
Standard
8 weeks full pay, 4 weeks half pay + SMP, then statutory
Statutory Only
6 weeks at 90%, then 33 weeks at £187.18/wk
Use the calculator above with "enhanced full pay" and "enhanced half pay" weeks to model your employer's specific policy.
“Includes SMP” vs “Plus SMP” — What's the Difference?
This is the biggest source of confusion with enhanced maternity pay. Some employers (especially NHS and Civil Service) pay enhanced rates that include SMP — meaning you receive only the enhanced amount, not enhanced plus SMP on top.
Includes SMP (NHS-style)
“Full pay less SMP” — employer tops up the difference between SMP and full salary. Half pay + SMP is capped at full pay.
Plus SMP (Private sector)
Half pay is paid on top of SMP with no cap. You may receive more than your normal salary during the half-pay phase.
Use the “Enhanced pay includes SMP” checkbox in the calculator to model your employer's specific policy.
KIT Days (Keeping In Touch)
You can work up to 10 Keeping In Touch (KIT) days during maternity leave without losing your SMP entitlement. These are paid at your normal daily rate and are fully voluntary — neither you nor your employer can insist on them.
- ✓Any work counts as a full KIT day (even 1 hour)
- ✓Includes training, conferences, and team meetings
- ✓SMP continues on the same day as your KIT day
- ✗Working more than 10 days may end your SMP
Holiday Accrual During Maternity Leave
You continue to accrue your full annual leave entitlement during all 52 weeks of maternity leave — including the 13 unpaid weeks. This is a legal right under the Employment Rights Act and is often overlooked.
For someone on a standard 28-day entitlement taking the full year of leave, that's 28 days accrued — typically worth over £3,700 at a £35,000 salary. You can take this holiday before your leave starts, after you return, or in some cases your employer may pay it in lieu.
Eligibility for Statutory Maternity Pay
To qualify for SMP, you must:
- ✓Have worked for your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before your due date
- ✓Earn at least £125 per week on average (the Lower Earnings Limit for 2025/26)
- ✓Give your employer at least 28 days' notice (or as soon as reasonably practical)
- ✓Provide proof of pregnancy (MATB1 certificate from your midwife or GP)
Tips to Prepare Financially for Maternity Leave
Build a Buffer
Save the difference between your normal salary and expected maternity pay for 3-6 months before your leave starts. Use the shortfall figure from the calculator above.
Check Your Tax Code
During SMP, PAYE continues cumulatively. You may receive tax refunds in months where you receive less than your personal allowance equivalent.
Consider Shared Parental Leave
If your partner earns less, transferring some leave to them could mean more total family income — especially if their employer offers enhanced paternity/ShPP.
Keep Paying Into Your Pension
Employer pension contributions continue during paid maternity leave, based on your normal salary. Employee contributions are only taken from the statutory pay you receive.
2025/26 Statutory Rates
- SMP (weeks 1–6)
- 90% of AWE
- SMP (weeks 7–39)
- £187.18/wk
- SPP
- £187.18/wk
- ShPP
- £187.18/wk
- Maternity Allowance
- £187.18/wk
- Lower Earnings Limit
- £125/wk