[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":627},["ShallowReactive",2],{"/en/guides/child-benefits/maternity-pay-uk-2026":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"category":596,"description":597,"extension":598,"faq":599,"meta":618,"navigation":619,"path":620,"publishedAt":621,"relatedCalculator":622,"seo":623,"stem":624,"updatedAt":625,"__hash__":626},"guides_en/en/guides/child-benefits/maternity-pay-uk-2026.md","Maternity Pay UK 2026: SMP, Allowance & Employer Top-Up Explained",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":573},"minimark",[9,13,26,29,34,40,45,81,88,93,118,121,125,128,163,167,174,178,184,198,202,250,256,260,278,282,289,335,341,344,348,355,369,373,379,383,412,418,421,425,436,440,452,456,539,547,551],[10,11,5],"h1",{"id":12},"maternity-pay-uk-2026-smp-allowance-employer-top-up-explained",[14,15,16,17,21,22,25],"p",{},"Having a baby means time away from work — and understanding exactly what you will be paid during that time matters enormously for financial planning. In 2026, the UK's maternity pay system comprises ",[18,19,20],"strong",{},"Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)"," for employed women, ",[18,23,24],{},"Maternity Allowance (MA)"," for the self-employed and others who don't qualify for SMP, and the option of employer-enhanced pay on top.",[14,27,28],{},"This guide covers every scenario: employed, self-employed, recently changed jobs, agency workers, and how Shared Parental Leave fits in.",[30,31,33],"h2",{"id":32},"statutory-maternity-pay-smp-the-basics","Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP): The Basics",[14,35,36,39],{},[18,37,38],{},"SMP is paid by your employer"," for up to 39 weeks. It is the baseline entitlement for eligible employed women.",[41,42,44],"h3",{"id":43},"smp-rates-in-2026","SMP Rates in 2026",[46,47,48,61],"table",{},[49,50,51],"thead",{},[52,53,54,58],"tr",{},[55,56,57],"th",{},"Period",[55,59,60],{},"Rate",[62,63,64,73],"tbody",{},[52,65,66,70],{},[67,68,69],"td",{},"First 6 weeks",[67,71,72],{},"90% of your average weekly earnings (AWE) — no upper cap",[52,74,75,78],{},[67,76,77],{},"Remaining 33 weeks",[67,79,80],{},"Lower of: £184.03/week OR 90% of AWE",[14,82,83,84,87],{},"The standard weekly rate of ",[18,85,86],{},"£184.03"," applies from April 2025. The April 2026 rate will be confirmed by the government following the annual uprating, typically announced in the Autumn Statement. Rates increase with inflation each year.",[14,89,90],{},[18,91,92],{},"Example calculation:",[94,95,96,100,106,112],"ul",{},[97,98,99],"li",{},"Average weekly earnings: £500",[97,101,102,103],{},"First 6 weeks: £450/week (90% of £500) = ",[18,104,105],{},"£2,700",[97,107,108,109],{},"Weeks 7–39 (33 weeks): £184.03/week = ",[18,110,111],{},"£6,073",[97,113,114,115],{},"Total SMP: ",[18,116,117],{},"£8,773",[14,119,120],{},"If you earn less than £204.48/week average (i.e., 90% of AWE is below £184.03), you receive 90% of your actual earnings throughout weeks 7–39.",[41,122,124],{"id":123},"qualifying-for-smp","Qualifying for SMP",[14,126,127],{},"You must meet all of the following:",[129,130,131,141,151,157],"ol",{},[97,132,133,136,137,140],{},[18,134,135],{},"Continuous employment:"," Employed by the same employer for ",[18,138,139],{},"at least 26 weeks"," up to and including the \"qualifying week\" (the 15th week before your due date)",[97,142,143,146,147,150],{},[18,144,145],{},"Earnings:"," Average weekly earnings of at least ",[18,148,149],{},"£123"," (the Lower Earnings Limit for 2025/26) in the 8 weeks before the qualifying week",[97,152,153,156],{},[18,154,155],{},"Still employed:"," You must still be employed — even if you give notice during this period, SMP rights are preserved if conditions were met at the qualifying week",[97,158,159,162],{},[18,160,161],{},"Notification:"," Inform your employer at least 28 days before your maternity leave starts, providing your MATB1 certificate (issued by your midwife or GP at around 20 weeks)",[41,164,166],{"id":165},"when-smp-can-start","When SMP Can Start",[14,168,169,170,173],{},"SMP can begin the day you start maternity leave — the earliest is the ",[18,171,172],{},"11th week before your due date",". It starts automatically if you are off work with a pregnancy-related illness in the 4 weeks before your due date.",[30,175,177],{"id":176},"maternity-allowance-ma-for-those-who-dont-qualify-for-smp","Maternity Allowance (MA): For Those Who Don't Qualify for SMP",[14,179,180,183],{},[18,181,182],{},"Maternity Allowance"," is paid by the government (through the DWP) for up to 39 weeks. It covers:",[94,185,186,189,192,195],{},[97,187,188],{},"Self-employed women",[97,190,191],{},"Employees who have recently changed jobs and don't meet the continuous employment test",[97,193,194],{},"Agency workers who have worked for 26 of the 66 weeks before their due date",[97,196,197],{},"Women whose earnings are below the LEL (£123/week) who have paid Class 2 NI contributions",[41,199,201],{"id":200},"ma-rates-in-2026","MA Rates in 2026",[46,203,204,217],{},[49,205,206],{},[52,207,208,211,214],{},[55,209,210],{},"Scenario",[55,212,213],{},"Weekly Rate",[55,215,216],{},"Duration",[62,218,219,230,239],{},[52,220,221,224,227],{},[67,222,223],{},"Employed/recently employed (meets 26-week test)",[67,225,226],{},"£184.03 or 90% of AWE",[67,228,229],{},"Up to 39 weeks",[52,231,232,235,237],{},[67,233,234],{},"Self-employed (Class 2 NI paid)",[67,236,86],{},[67,238,229],{},[52,240,241,244,247],{},[67,242,243],{},"Self-employed (lower earnings, Class 2 NI test)",[67,245,246],{},"£27/week",[67,248,249],{},"Up to 14 weeks",[14,251,252,255],{},[18,253,254],{},"Unpaid weeks:"," You can choose to start MA from week 11 before your due date. You can take up to 10 unpaid weeks within the 39-week period, which is useful if you want to extend leave beyond the paid period.",[41,257,259],{"id":258},"how-to-claim-maternity-allowance","How to Claim Maternity Allowance",[129,261,262,269,272,275],{},[97,263,264,265,268],{},"Complete form ",[18,266,267],{},"MA1"," (available at gov.uk/maternity-allowance)",[97,270,271],{},"Submit after week 26 of pregnancy",[97,273,274],{},"Include evidence of employment or self-employment (payslips, accounts, or an SMP1 form if your employer has refused SMP)",[97,276,277],{},"Payment is made directly into your bank account",[30,279,281],{"id":280},"employer-enhanced-maternity-pay","Employer-Enhanced Maternity Pay",[14,283,284,285,288],{},"SMP is the legal minimum. Many employers — especially in the public sector, finance, tech, and large corporations — offer ",[18,286,287],{},"enhanced contractual maternity pay",":",[46,290,291,301],{},[49,292,293],{},[52,294,295,298],{},[55,296,297],{},"Common Enhanced Schemes",[55,299,300],{},"Example",[62,302,303,311,319,327],{},[52,304,305,308],{},[67,306,307],{},"Full pay for first 4 weeks, then SMP",[67,309,310],{},"NHS, many councils",[52,312,313,316],{},[67,314,315],{},"6 months full pay, then SMP",[67,317,318],{},"Large banks, tech firms",[52,320,321,324],{},[67,322,323],{},"3 months full pay + 3 months half pay, then SMP",[67,325,326],{},"Universities, law firms",[52,328,329,332],{},[67,330,331],{},"SMP only",[67,333,334],{},"Small employers, retail",[14,336,337,340],{},[18,338,339],{},"Check your employment contract or staff handbook"," — enhanced pay terms are set by your employer. If returning early would mean repaying enhanced pay (\"clawback\" clauses), understand the terms before committing.",[14,342,343],{},"You cannot receive more than 100% of your normal salary through combined SMP and employer top-ups, but employers can choose to \"top up\" the difference between SMP and your full wage.",[30,345,347],{"id":346},"keeping-in-touch-kit-days","Keeping in Touch (KIT) Days",[14,349,350,351,354],{},"During SMP or MA, you can work up to ",[18,352,353],{},"10 Keeping in Touch (KIT) days"," without losing your maternity pay. KIT days:",[94,356,357,360,363,366],{},[97,358,359],{},"Are voluntary — your employer cannot insist on them",[97,361,362],{},"Are paid at your normal rate for the hours worked",[97,364,365],{},"Do not extend your maternity leave period",[97,367,368],{},"Are useful for training, meetings, or gradual return",[30,370,372],{"id":371},"shared-parental-leave-spl","Shared Parental Leave (SPL)",[14,374,375,378],{},[18,376,377],{},"Shared Parental Leave"," allows families to divide the leave period more flexibly. After the 2-week compulsory maternity leave, eligible mothers can \"curtail\" their remaining leave and pay and share it with their partner.",[41,380,382],{"id":381},"how-shared-parental-leave-works","How Shared Parental Leave Works",[94,384,385,396,399,406],{},[97,386,387,388,391,392,395],{},"Up to ",[18,389,390],{},"50 weeks of leave"," and ",[18,393,394],{},"37 weeks of pay"," can be shared",[97,397,398],{},"Both parents must be eligible (employed, meeting earnings and service tests)",[97,400,401,402,405],{},"Leave can be taken ",[18,403,404],{},"simultaneously or in turns"," in up to 3 separate blocks",[97,407,408,411],{},[18,409,410],{},"Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP):"," £184.03/week (same as SMP rate)",[14,413,414,417],{},[18,415,416],{},"Example:"," Mother takes 26 weeks (6 weeks at 90%, 20 weeks at £184.03), then transfers 13 remaining weeks of pay to the partner, who takes them concurrently or later.",[14,419,420],{},"Many employers are extending enhanced pay to SPL periods — check your employer's policy.",[30,422,424],{"id":423},"paternity-leave-and-pay","Paternity Leave and Pay",[14,426,427,428,431,432,435],{},"Partners can take ",[18,429,430],{},"Statutory Paternity Leave"," of 1 or 2 consecutive weeks, paid at ",[18,433,434],{},"£184.03/week"," (or 90% of AWE if lower). Paternity leave must be taken within 56 days of birth. Enhanced paternity pay varies by employer.",[30,437,439],{"id":438},"uk-child-benefit-additional-support","UK Child Benefit: Additional Support",[14,441,442,443,446,447],{},"Once your baby arrives, you can claim ",[18,444,445],{},"UK Child Benefit"," — currently £25.60/week for the first child and £16.95/week for subsequent children. This is a separate benefit from maternity pay. See our full guide: ",[448,449,451],"a",{"href":450},"/en/guides/child-benefits/uk-child-benefit-2026/","UK Child Benefit 2026",[30,453,455],{"id":454},"summary-maternity-pay-comparison","Summary: Maternity Pay Comparison",[46,457,458,473],{},[49,459,460],{},[52,461,462,465,468,471],{},[55,463,464],{},"Type",[55,466,467],{},"Who Pays",[55,469,470],{},"Weekly Amount",[55,472,216],{},[62,474,475,489,502,513,527],{},[52,476,477,480,483,486],{},[67,478,479],{},"SMP (first 6 weeks)",[67,481,482],{},"Employer (HMRC reimbursed)",[67,484,485],{},"90% of AWE",[67,487,488],{},"6 weeks",[52,490,491,494,496,499],{},[67,492,493],{},"SMP (weeks 7–39)",[67,495,482],{},[67,497,498],{},"£184.03 or 90% AWE",[67,500,501],{},"33 weeks",[52,503,504,506,509,511],{},[67,505,182],{},[67,507,508],{},"DWP (government)",[67,510,498],{},[67,512,229],{},[52,514,515,518,521,524],{},[67,516,517],{},"Enhanced maternity pay",[67,519,520],{},"Employer",[67,522,523],{},"Varies (up to full salary)",[67,525,526],{},"Varies",[52,528,529,532,534,536],{},[67,530,531],{},"Shared Parental Pay",[67,533,482],{},[67,535,86],{},[67,537,538],{},"Up to 37 weeks shared",[14,540,541,542,546],{},"Use our ",[448,543,545],{"href":544},"/calculator/","Family Benefits Calculator"," to estimate your total benefit entitlement including maternity pay and child benefit.",[30,548,550],{"id":549},"related-guides","Related Guides",[94,552,553,560,567],{},[97,554,555,559],{},[448,556,558],{"href":557},"/guides/maternity/statutory-maternity-pay-calculator-2026","Statutory Maternity Pay Calculator 2026"," — calculate your SMP week by week",[97,561,562,566],{},[448,563,565],{"href":564},"/guides/child-benefits/universal-credit-children-uk","Universal Credit with Children 2026"," — UC child elements and childcare cost support",[97,568,569,572],{},[448,570,451],{"href":571},"/guides/child-benefits/uk-child-benefit-2026"," — weekly payments for every child from birth",{"title":574,"searchDepth":575,"depth":575,"links":576},"",2,[577,583,587,588,589,592,593,594,595],{"id":32,"depth":575,"text":33,"children":578},[579,581,582],{"id":43,"depth":580,"text":44},3,{"id":123,"depth":580,"text":124},{"id":165,"depth":580,"text":166},{"id":176,"depth":575,"text":177,"children":584},[585,586],{"id":200,"depth":580,"text":201},{"id":258,"depth":580,"text":259},{"id":280,"depth":575,"text":281},{"id":346,"depth":575,"text":347},{"id":371,"depth":575,"text":372,"children":590},[591],{"id":381,"depth":580,"text":382},{"id":423,"depth":575,"text":424},{"id":438,"depth":575,"text":439},{"id":454,"depth":575,"text":455},{"id":549,"depth":575,"text":550},"child-benefits","Complete guide to maternity pay in the UK in 2026 — Statutory Maternity Pay rates, Maternity Allowance for self-employed, employer top-ups, Shared Parental Leave, and how to claim.","md",[600,603,606,609,612,615],{"question":601,"answer":602},"How much is Statutory Maternity Pay in 2026?","Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) in 2026 is paid for 39 weeks. For the first 6 weeks, you receive 90% of your average weekly earnings with no upper cap. For the remaining 33 weeks, you receive the lower of 90% of your average weekly earnings or the weekly SMP rate of £184.03 (the standard rate for the 2025/26 tax year, subject to April 2026 uprating).",{"question":604,"answer":605},"How do I qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay?","To qualify for SMP, you must have worked for the same employer continuously for at least 26 weeks ending with the 15th week before your baby is due (the qualifying week), earned at least £123 per week on average (the Lower Earnings Limit for 2025/26), and still be employed by the employer at the start of your maternity leave.",{"question":607,"answer":608},"What is Maternity Allowance and who gets it?","Maternity Allowance is paid by the government (not your employer) for up to 39 weeks if you don't qualify for SMP. It is available to self-employed women, recently employed women who changed jobs, and employees who don't meet the SMP qualifying conditions. The standard rate in 2026 is £184.03/week (or 90% of average weekly earnings if lower).",{"question":610,"answer":611},"Can my employer pay more than the statutory minimum?","Yes. Many employers — particularly larger organisations and public sector bodies — offer enhanced maternity pay ('contractual maternity pay'), which can include full pay for some weeks, higher weekly rates, or a longer pay period. Check your employment contract or staff handbook. Enhanced pay is entirely at the employer's discretion.",{"question":613,"answer":614},"What is Shared Parental Leave?","Shared Parental Leave (SPL) allows eligible parents to share up to 50 weeks of leave and up to 37 weeks of pay after a baby is born or adopted. Either parent can take leave, and the leave can be taken concurrently or separately. Statutory Shared Parental Pay mirrors the SMP rate of £184.03/week.",{"question":616,"answer":617},"Do I get paid for the first two weeks of maternity leave?","The first two weeks after birth are called Compulsory Maternity Leave — your employer cannot ask you to return to work during this period. SMP starts from the first day of maternity leave if you qualify, so yes, these two weeks are covered by SMP (at 90% of earnings for employees in their first 6 weeks).",{},true,"/en/guides/child-benefits/maternity-pay-uk-2026","2026-03-31","/child-benefits-calculator",{"title":5,"description":597},"en/guides/child-benefits/maternity-pay-uk-2026",null,"3gxLnR8HQDrkff2QORpoXcRNDeckFOgInRjFaDo2nus",1775557777363]