Continue your plan
Useful next calculations
Rates & sources2026/27
2026/27 statutory maternity rates for an employee who qualifies. The tool does not assess service, notice or eligibility conditions.
| Band / figure | Rate |
|---|---|
| Weeks 1–6 | 90% of average weekly earnings |
| Weeks 7–39 | lower of £194.32 or 90% of AWE |
| Lower earnings limit | £129/week |
Source: DWP — Benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027 — source checked for 2026/27.
When to use this calculator
- When you need a fast estimate before making a bigger decision.
- When you want to compare a few scenarios using the same assumptions.
- When you need a clearer starting point before using a detailed quote or formal document.
- When you want to sanity-check a figure you have seen elsewhere.
A realistic UK planning example
Use these sample inputs as a quick scenario test, then change one variable at a time to compare outcomes.
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Weekly Earnings (£) | 5 years |
| Total Maternity Leave | 39 weeks (SMP period) |
| Enhanced Maternity Pay from Employer? | No - Statutory only |
After entering these figures, review weeks 1-6 weekly pay, weeks 7-39 weekly pay and total smp together rather than in isolation. Then rerun the tool with one input adjusted.
How to read your results
Weeks 1-6 Weekly Pay
The figure produced by this output for the inputs you entered. Change one variable at a time if you want to see what drives it.
Weeks 7-39 Weekly Pay
The figure produced by this output for the inputs you entered. Change one variable at a time if you want to see what drives it.
Total SMP
The headline outcome of this calculation. It is most useful when read alongside the supporting metrics rather than in isolation.
Enhanced Pay
The figure produced by this output for the inputs you entered. Change one variable at a time if you want to see what drives it.
Total Maternity Pay
The headline outcome of this calculation. It is most useful when read alongside the supporting metrics rather than in isolation.
Monthly Average
The figure produced by this output for the inputs you entered. Change one variable at a time if you want to see what drives it.
Method & assumptionsAuthoritative sources
This calculator estimates gross 2026/27 Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) for someone who qualifies. The first six weeks are paid at 90% of average weekly earnings without an upper cap. Weeks 7 to 39 are paid at the lower of £194.32 a week or 90% of average weekly earnings. It applies selected employer-enhanced pay first, then the statutory model for the rest of the 39-week period.
The statutory lower earnings limit is £129 a week in 2026/27, but the tool does not test the service, earnings-period, notice or employment-status requirements. Weeks 40 to 52 are unpaid unless an employer contract provides more. All figures are before tax and National Insurance; check your employer policy and GOV.UK for your actual entitlement.
Common mistakes
- !Using optimistic assumptions without testing a more cautious scenario.
- !Comparing outputs from different tools without checking that the inputs match.
- !Treating the result as a final quote instead of a planning estimate.
- !Rounding inputs too aggressively.
What to do next
- Try at least one more scenario so you can compare a realistic range.
- Use the related calculators below to cross-check the decision from another angle.
- Write down the key outputs from your best scenarios before you decide.
- If the result surprises you, change one input at a time to isolate the driver.
Frequently asked
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