Statutory Adoption Pay vs Statutory Maternity Pay: 2026/27 Comparison
Adoption pay mirrors maternity pay closely in structure, but eligibility, notice periods and the qualifying event are different. A full 2026/27 comparison for adoptive and birth parents.
The rate structure — identical for both
| Period | Rate |
|---|---|
| First 6 weeks | 90% of average weekly earnings |
| Remaining weeks (up to 33 more) | Lower of £194.32/week (2026/27) or 90% of average weekly earnings |
| Total paid weeks | Up to 39 (out of 52 weeks total leave) |
Maternity Pay Calculator
Calculate Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) for the full 39-week maternity leave.
Open Maternity Pay calculatorStatutory Adoption Pay follows exactly the same rate structure and duration as Statutory Maternity Pay — the main practical differences lie in eligibility, the qualifying event, and notification requirements, not the amount paid.
What triggers eligibility
- Maternity pay: tied to the expected week of childbirth, with eligibility based on continuous employment (typically at least 26 weeks by a set qualifying week) and average earnings above the Lower Earnings Limit.
- Adoption pay: tied to being matched with a child for adoption by an approved adoption agency (or meeting the equivalent conditions for a parental order in surrogacy cases), with a broadly similar continuous employment and earnings test, but measured against the matching date rather than a pregnancy timeline.
How couples split leave and pay
In an adopting couple, typically one partner takes Statutory Adoption Pay and Leave (usually whoever will be the primary carer), while the other partner may be eligible for Statutory Paternity Pay and Leave, mirroring the structure available to birth parents splitting maternity and paternity leave. Shared Parental Leave may also be available to split the adoption leave and pay more flexibly between both partners, similar to its availability for birth parents.
Statutory Paternity Pay Calculator
Calculate UK statutory paternity pay 2026/27 (£194.32/week or 90% of average pay) plus enhanced employer top-up.
Open Paternity Pay calculatorEmployer enhanced schemes
Many employers offer enhanced (contractual) adoption pay that goes beyond the statutory minimum — sometimes matching enhanced maternity pay schemes exactly, reflecting a growing recognition that adoption leave should be treated equivalently to maternity leave in workplace policies. It's always worth checking the specific employer's family leave policy, since the statutory rates above are a legal floor, not necessarily what any individual employer actually pays.
A practical note on notification
Both routes require formal notification within set timeframes — for adoption, this is typically linked to when the match is confirmed, and for maternity, to the expected week of childbirth — with specific evidence required (a matching certificate for adoption, the MATB1 form for maternity) to support the claim with the employer.
Sources
- gov.uk: Statutory Adoption Pay and Leave
- gov.uk: Statutory Maternity Pay and Leave
- gov.uk: Shared Parental Leave and Pay
Frequently asked questions
Is Statutory Adoption Pay the same amount as Statutory Maternity Pay?
Yes — both follow the same structure: 90% of average weekly earnings for the first 6 weeks, then the lower of the standard statutory weekly rate (£194.32 for 2026/27) or 90% of average weekly earnings for the remaining weeks, up to a total of 39 weeks paid leave out of 52 weeks total leave.
What triggers eligibility for Statutory Adoption Pay?
Eligibility is generally based on being matched with a child for adoption (or, for surrogacy, meeting parental order conditions) and meeting continuous employment and average earnings thresholds, similar in structure to the maternity pay qualifying conditions but tied to the adoption match date rather than the expected week of childbirth.
Can either adoptive parent claim Statutory Adoption Pay?
In a couple adopting together, one partner can claim Statutory Adoption Pay/Leave (typically the one who will be the primary carer), while the other partner may be eligible for Statutory Paternity Pay/Leave instead, similar to how birth couples split maternity and paternity leave.
Try the calculators
Related reading
Maternity Pay Rights UK 2026/27: SMP, Maternity Allowance, and Shared Parental Leave
Statutory Maternity Pay is £194.32/week in 2026/27 for 33 weeks, after 6 weeks at 90% AWE. Full guide to SMP, Maternity Allowance, Shared Parental Leave, KIT days, and a £35,000 salary worked example.
Premature Baby: Maternity Pay, Neonatal Leave and Extra Support in 2026/27
A premature birth doesn't change the start date of Statutory Maternity Pay, but Statutory Neonatal Care Pay can add extra paid leave if your baby is in hospital. How the two interact in 2026/27.
Twins or Triplets: Does Maternity Pay Double Up in 2026/27?
Statutory Maternity Pay doesn't multiply per baby, but Child Benefit and the child element of Universal Credit do. How a multiple birth actually changes your maternity pay, leave and benefits in 2026/27.