UK Maternity & Paternity Pay Calculator (2026)

Maternity for birth mothers, paternity for partners, shared-parental if splitting leave, adoption for primary adopter.

We convert to a weekly equivalent and check it against the £125/week Lower Earnings Limit.

Split enhanced pay into full-pay weeks and half-pay weeks. Ignore "weeks at statutory only" — that's the fallback after enhanced runs out.

Up to 10 KIT days — we show the implied day rate from your salary so you know what each one is worth.

The chart stacks enhanced pay + statutory pay against what you'd earn working. The gap between them is your shortfall to plan for.

Replacement rate of 55%+ is typical for public-sector schemes; statutory-only workers see 25–35%. Your savings target is the shortfall figure.

From April 2026, SMP/SPP/ShPP/SAP flat rate rises to £187.18/week. The Lower Earnings Limit increases to £125/week. Rates are frozen at that level for the tax year. First 6 weeks of SMP/SAP remain at 90% of average weekly earnings with no cap.

After the mother's compulsory 2 weeks post-birth, remaining SMP/SAP entitlement can convert to ShPP. Up to 37 weeks paid + 50 weeks total can be shared. Each parent must meet the employment and earnings tests independently. Notice to employer must be given at least 8 weeks before leave starts.

Employers cannot pay less than statutory, but can pay more. Common enhancements: 6 weeks at 90% + 33 weeks flat (matches statutory), 8 weeks full + 18 weeks half + 13 weeks SMP (NHS/public-sector), 26 weeks at 100% (larger professional services firms). Check the contract and staff handbook — some schemes require repayment if you don't return for 3–12 months.

All statutory family pay is taxable income and subject to Class 1 NI. Your tax code applies as normal so the first ~£12,570/year is tax-free. Pension contributions: your employer must continue matching on your normal salary for the paid weeks of maternity leave, even though you're only receiving statutory — a substantial hidden benefit most employees miss.

Pair this with the Family Activity Budget Planner to size post-leave monthly costs, the Personal Injury Compensation Calculator if returning after injury, and the Buy-to-Let Mortgage Calculator if using parental leave to re-plan property holdings.