Answers · UK 2025/26
How much statutory maternity pay will I get in total in 2026/27?
Statutory Maternity Pay runs for up to 39 weeks. For the first 6 weeks you get 90% of your average weekly earnings, then up to 33 weeks at £194.32 a week (or 90% of earnings if lower) for 2026/27. A typical full entitlement totals roughly £8,500 to £10,000 before tax, depending on your salary.
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Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid for up to 39 weeks by your employer, who can reclaim most or all of it from HMRC. The structure has two stages. For the first 6 weeks you receive 90% of your average weekly earnings with no upper cap, calculated over a set reference period before your qualifying week. For the remaining 33 weeks you receive the lower of £194.32 a week (the 2026/27 standard rate) or 90% of your average weekly earnings. To qualify you must have been continuously employed by the same employer for at least 26 weeks up to the qualifying week (the 15th week before the due date) and earn on average at least the lower earnings limit. As an illustration, someone earning £30,000 a year (about £577 a week) would get roughly £519 a week for 6 weeks, which is about £3,115, then £194.32 a week for 33 weeks, which is about £6,413, for a total of around £9,528 before deductions. SMP is treated as earnings, so Income Tax and National Insurance are deducted through PAYE, and it counts towards student loan repayments. The first 6 weeks at 90% can be significantly higher for better-paid workers because there is no cap on that stage. Many employers offer enhanced occupational maternity pay above the statutory minimum. If you do not qualify for SMP you may claim Maternity Allowance from the DWP instead. Use the take-home pay calculator to see the tax on your maternity pay.
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This answer is informational only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Figures are for the 2025/26 UK tax year. See our methodology and sources.