Useful next calculations
Rates and sources, 2026/27
2026/27 statutory maternity rates for an employee who qualifies. The tool does not assess service, notice or eligibility conditions.
| Band or 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 worked example
These are the example figures the calculator opens with.
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Weekly Earnings (£) | £500 |
| Weeks of Maternity Leave | 39 |
For those figures the calculator returns:
- Total SMP: £9,112.56
- High-rate period (weeks 1–6): £2,700.00
- Low-rate period: £6,412.56
- Unpaid weeks: 0.00
Method & assumptions
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.