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 |
| Weeks of Maternity Leave | 39 |
After entering these figures, review total smp, high-rate period (weeks 1–6) and low-rate period together rather than in isolation. Then rerun the tool with one input adjusted.
How to read your results
Total SMP
The headline outcome of this calculation. It is most useful when read alongside the supporting metrics rather than in isolation.
High-Rate Period (weeks 1–6)
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.
Low-Rate Period
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.
Unpaid Weeks
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 models 2026/27 Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) for an eligible employee. The first six weeks are 90% of average weekly earnings with no cap. From week seven to week 39, the rate is the lower of £194.32 a week or 90% of average weekly earnings. Weeks 40–52 of maternity leave are unpaid unless an employer offers contractual pay beyond the statutory period.
The 2026/27 lower earnings limit is £129 a week, and separate service, notice and employment-status rules apply. This calculation does not establish eligibility. Amounts are gross and subject to PAYE deductions.
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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