Maternity Pay Timeline Calculator

Table of contents

• What is the Maternity Pay Timeline Calculator?
• How your maternity pay timeline is calculated
• Example Calculation: Chloe’s Maternity Leave
• The Rules of Statutory Maternity Pay
• Budgeting for Phase 3 (Unpaid Leave)
• Maternity Pay Preparation Checklist
• How to use the Maternity Pay Timeline Calculator
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Use this Maternity Pay Timeline Calculator to calculate the specific dates and expected payouts for each stage of your UK maternity leave. In 2026, managing household finances during a period of reduced income is a top priority for growing families. This tool breaks down your 52-week leave into three distinct financial phases, showing you exactly when your income will drop and providing a total expected statutory payout to help you plan your budget.

What is the Maternity Pay Timeline Calculator?

The Maternity Pay Timeline Calculator is a financial forecasting tool designed to clarify the UK Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) system. The government mandates a 39-week paid period, but the amount you receive changes significantly after the first six weeks. Navigating this sudden drop in income can be challenging without a clear calendar.

As we navigate 2026, this tool helps you visualise your exact financial runway. By entering your leave start date and average weekly earnings, the calculator automatically generates the exact date ranges for your higher rate, your standard statutory rate, and your final unpaid period, ensuring you are never caught off guard.

How your maternity pay timeline is calculated

The calculator applies standard UK statutory rules to your specific start date and weekly earnings. It projects your pay across 52 weeks, dividing the timeline into three strict phases.

To keep the process transparent, the tool follows these logical steps:

• Phase 1 (Higher Rate): For the first 6 weeks of your leave, you receive 90% of your average weekly gross earnings.
• Phase 2 (Standard Rate): For the next 33 weeks, you receive the standard statutory rate (estimated at £195.00 for 2026) or 90% of your earnings, whichever is lower.
• Phase 3 (Unpaid Leave): For the final 13 weeks of your 52-week leave, you receive no statutory maternity pay.
• Total Expected Pay: It calculates the sum of Phase 1 and Phase 2 to provide your total gross maternity income.

The core logic used to determine your weekly pay is as follows:

Phase 1 Weekly Pay = Average Weekly Gross Earnings * 0.90

Phase 2 Weekly Pay = Minimum of (Phase 1 Weekly Pay) OR (Statutory Rate)

Total Statutory Pay = (Phase 1 Weekly Pay * 6) + (Phase 2 Weekly Pay * 33)

Example Calculation: Chloe’s Maternity Leave

To see how these phases affect a real household budget, consider this scenario for a standard full-time employee.

Example: Chloe earns an average of £600.00 per week. She is starting her maternity leave on 1 September 2026 and wants to know her total expected statutory pay.

• Leave Start Date: 1 September 2026
• Average Weekly Gross Earnings: £600.00

Maternity pay estimate:

• Phase 1 (First 6 Weeks): £600.00 * 0.90 = £540.00 per week
• Phase 2 (Next 33 Weeks): Capped at the £195.00 statutory rate
• Phase 3 (Final 13 Weeks): £0.00
• Total Expected Statutory Pay: (£540.00 * 6) + (£195.00 * 33) = £9,675.00

Chloe now knows she can expect a gross total of £9,675.00 over her leave. She also has the exact dates for when her income will drop from £540.00 a week to £195.00 a week, allowing her to save accordingly during her pregnancy.

The Rules of Statutory Maternity Pay

While the calculator provides your expected figures, you must meet certain criteria to qualify for SMP in 2026. Keep these requirements in mind:

• Continuous Employment: You must have worked for your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks up to any day in the “qualifying week” (the 15th week before your expected due date).
• Minimum Earnings: Your average weekly earnings during the 8-week period before your qualifying week must be at or above the Lower Earnings Limit.
• Proper Notice: You must give your employer at least 28 days of notice regarding the date you want your Statutory Maternity Pay to start.

Budgeting for Phase 3 (Unpaid Leave)

The final 13 weeks of a full year of maternity leave are unpaid. If you plan to take the full 52 weeks, consider these strategies to cover the gap:

• The Maternity Fund: Set aside a portion of your Phase 1 higher rate pay into a dedicated savings account to draw upon during Phase 3.
• Accrued Annual Leave: You continue to build up paid holiday while on maternity leave. Taking this accrued leave at the end of your maternity period provides a seamless return to full pay before you officially resume work.
• Child Benefit: Ensure you have applied for Child Benefit as soon as your baby is born to secure additional monthly household income.

Maternity Pay Preparation Checklist

Securing your pay requires precise timing and paperwork. Use this checklist to ensure everything is processed correctly:

✅ The Qualifying Period

• Check Your Earnings: Ensure your average weekly pay during weeks 17 to 25 of your pregnancy meets the Lower Earnings Limit.
• Request Your MAT B1: Obtain your MAT B1 certificate from your doctor or midwife around your 20-week scan.

✅ Providing Notice

• Submit to HR: Hand in your MAT B1 form and a written letter detailing your intended leave start date by the 15th week before your due date.
• Confirm Your Schedule: Ask your employer to provide a written breakdown of your SMP payments and the exact dates they will be processed.

✅ Ongoing Management

• Tax and National Insurance: Remember that SMP is subject to standard tax and NI deductions. The figures on this calculator are gross amounts.
• Pension Contributions: Confirm with your employer that your workplace pension contributions will continue during your paid leave phases.

How to use the Maternity Pay Timeline Calculator

1. Leave Start Date: Enter the exact date you intend to start your maternity leave.
2. Average Weekly Gross Earnings: Enter your average weekly pay before tax. This must be based on your earnings during your specific 8-week qualifying period.
3. Review Your Dates: Look at the date ranges for Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 to mark your calendar.
4. Check Your Total: Note your “Total Expected Statutory Pay” for your household budgeting spreadsheet.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are the amounts shown before or after tax?
The amounts shown are gross figures. Statutory Maternity Pay is treated like regular earnings and is subject to standard Income Tax and National Insurance deductions.

What if I do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay?
If you do not qualify, your employer will provide an SMP1 form. You can use this form to apply for Maternity Allowance through the Department for Work and Pensions.

Is Statutory Maternity Pay paid weekly or monthly?
SMP is paid according to your standard payroll schedule. If you typically receive your salary on a monthly basis, your maternity pay will also be deposited monthly.

Can I start my leave on any day of the week?
Yes, you can choose to begin your maternity leave and SMP on any day of the week, as long as you have provided your employer with the required notice.