Explore More Payroll Calculators
Statutory Maternity Pay 2026/27
| Period | Rate |
|---|---|
| Weeks 1–6 | 90% of average weekly earnings (uncapped) |
| Weeks 7–39 | Lower of £194.32/week or 90% of average weekly earnings |
| Weeks 40–52 | Unpaid (unless employer offers enhanced maternity pay) |
To qualify, you need at least 26 weeks' continuous service by the "qualifying week" (15 weeks before the due date) and average earnings at or above the Lower Earnings Limit (£129/week). Many employers offer enhanced contractual maternity pay above the statutory minimum — check your contract.
Get Independent Financial Advice
The figure above is an estimate of what you're entitled to or what it costs you — deciding what to actually do with it (invest, overpay debt, top up a pension) is a bigger decision worth getting right.
- Received a redundancy payout: understand tax-free thresholds and how to make a lump sum work for you long-term.
- Planning parental leave: budget around the drop from full pay to statutory rate, and check what protections apply.
- Deciding whether to overpay a student loan: for many people investing the surplus outperforms early repayment — but it depends on your plan type and income trajectory.
- Reviewing pension contributions: small percentage changes compound significantly over a career.
An FCA-regulated independent financial adviser can model your specific numbers — free directories like Unbiased.co.uk match you with a local IFA.
Find an Independent Financial Adviser →Transparency & Methodology
Methodology & Sources
Figures are public HMRC/gov.scot/DWP rates. For your exact position, use gov.uk/estimate-income-tax.
Not Tax or Legal Advice
Information only. Consult the Chartered Institute of Taxation or an adviser via the FCA Register.
Open Source
Formulas are public. Inspect on GitHub.