Maternity Pay calculator
Statutory Maternity Pay for 2026/27
Your details
Used only for the take-home comparison. Standard code is 1257L.
Used to show the qualifying week — the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth.
Pay needs 26 weeks’ continuous service. Leave is a day-one right from April 2026.
Statutory maternity leave is up to 52 weeks. SMP is paid for up to 39 of those weeks.
Employers use the 8-week relevant period ending with the last payday on or before the Saturday of the qualifying week. Leave blank to use salary ÷ 52. The 2026/27 Lower Earnings Limit is £129.00 a week.
Estimates only — not financial advice. Figures are illustrative statutory rates based on published HMRC / GOV.UK rules, not occupational or enhanced pay. Pension and student loan are off on the leave cashflow. By using this calculator you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms.
Statutory Maternity Pay
Enter an annual salary to estimate Statutory Maternity Pay.
How Statutory Maternity Pay works
SMP is paid for up to 39 weeks. Weeks 1–6 are 90% of average weekly earnings. Weeks 7–39 are the lower of £194.32 or 90% of AWE. Leave can last 52 weeks.
- Enter your gross annual salary — we treat average weekly earnings as salary ÷ 52 unless you override it.
- Check the service test — pay needs 26 weeks’ continuous service by the qualifying week. From April 2026 you can take the leave from day one even if pay is not due.
- Compare cashflow — leave weeks are shown against current take-home with pension and student loan switched off.
2026/27 SMP rates
| Weeks | Rate |
|---|---|
| 1–6 | 90% of average weekly earnings (no cap) |
| 7–39 | Lower of £194.32 or 90% of AWE |
| 40–52 | Unpaid statutory leave |
Frequently asked questions
Is maternity leave a day-one right?
From 6 April 2026 the leave itself is a day-one right. Statutory Maternity Pay still needs 26 weeks’ continuous employment by the qualifying week and average weekly earnings at or above the Lower Earnings Limit.
What if I am below the Lower Earnings Limit?
SMP is not payable below the Lower Earnings Limit. You may still be able to claim Maternity Allowance from the government. This calculator does not estimate Maternity Allowance.
Does this include occupational maternity pay?
No. v1 is statutory only. If your employer pays enhanced or contractual maternity pay, use their policy on top of these figures.
Why are pension and student loan off?
Leave cashflow is modelled with those deductions off so the statutory drop is not mixed with optional or plan-specific deductions.