Maternity pay (SMP) schedule
Statutory Maternity Pay starts high and then steps down. This lays out the full 39-week schedule so the drop after week 6 does not take you by surprise.
Your average earnings look below the £129 a week qualifying limit, so you may get Maternity Allowance rather than SMP.
Month-by-month schedule
| Roughly month | SMP paid (before tax) |
|---|---|
| Month 1 | £2,596 |
| Month 2 | £1,102 |
| Month 3 | £777 |
| Month 4 | £972 |
| Month 5 | £777 |
| Month 6 | £777 |
| Month 7 | £972 |
| Month 8 | £777 |
| Month 9 | £777 |
| 39 weeks total | £9,528 |
How the schedule works
Statutory Maternity Pay is paid for up to 39 weeks and comes in two clear stages. For the first 6 weeks you get 90% of your average weekly earnings, with no upper limit, so higher earners keep more in this early period. From week 7 the rate becomes the lower of £194.32 or 90% of your average earnings, and it stays there until week 39. Weeks 40 to 52 of your leave carry no statutory pay at all.
The single most useful thing to plan for is the cliff at week 7. Budgets built on the first six weeks can come as a shock when the flat rate lands, so the month-by-month view above is there to make that visible before it happens.
Worked example
On a £30,000 salary your average weekly earnings are about £577. The first 6 weeks pay 90% of that, roughly £519 a week, so about £3,115 in total. From week 7 the flat rate of £194 applies for 33 weeks, another £6,413. Across the full 39 weeks that is about £9,528 before tax. Anything your employer pays on top of this is separate and depends on your contract.
Common questions
How much maternity pay will I get?
Statutory Maternity Pay runs for 39 weeks. The first 6 weeks pay 90% of your average weekly earnings with no cap. The next 33 weeks pay whichever is lower of £194.32 or 90% of your average earnings. Weeks 40 to 52 of leave are unpaid unless your employer offers more.
Why does my maternity pay drop after 6 weeks?
The first 6 weeks are a higher earnings-related rate at 90% of your pay. After that it falls to the flat statutory rate, £194.32 a week for 2026/27, unless 90% of your pay is lower still. For most people that is a noticeable drop, so it helps to plan for it.
How is my average weekly earnings worked out?
It is based on what you actually earned in the 8 weeks or 2 months up to a set point in your pregnancy, roughly 15 weeks before the baby is due. This tool estimates it from your annual salary, so a bonus or a recent pay change can move the real figure.
Do I qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay?
You need to have worked for the same employer continuously for at least 26 weeks by the qualifying week and to earn on average at least £129 a week for 2026/27. If you earn less than that or have not been there long enough you may get Maternity Allowance instead.
Is maternity pay taxed?
Yes. Statutory Maternity Pay counts as earnings, so income tax and National Insurance come off it in the normal way through payroll. The figures here are the gross amounts before those deductions.