What's the take-home on a £30,000 salary?

With 5% pension and no student loan: Income Tax ≈ £3,486, NICs ≈ £1,392, pension ≈ £1,500. Take-home approximately £23,622/year or £1,968/month.

How does salary sacrifice affect take-home?

Salary sacrifice for pension or benefits reduces gross salary before tax and NICs — saving both Income Tax and National Insurance on the sacrificed amount.

Does my employer pension contribution count?

It doesn't affect take-home pay (it's paid on top) but is important for assessing total remuneration package value.

Statutory Maternity Pay Calculator UK 2026/27

How Statutory Maternity Pay works

First 6 weeks: paid at 90% of your average weekly earnings (AWE), with no cap
Remaining 33 weeks: paid at the lower of £194.32/week or 90% of AWE
Total SMP period: 39 weeks out of the 52 weeks of statutory maternity leave you are entitled to — the final 13 weeks are unpaid unless your employer enhances it
Eligibility: you must have worked for your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks by the qualifying week, and earn at least the Lower Earnings Limit

Worked example

Someone with average weekly earnings of £600:

Weeks 1–6 (90% of £600)	£540.00/week × 6 = £3,240.00
Weeks 7–39 (lower of £194.32 or 90% AWE)	£194.32/week × 33 = £6,412.56
Total SMP over 39 weeks	£9,652.56

How the calculation works

Calculate 90% of your average weekly earnings — this rate applies uncapped for the first 6 weeks
For weeks 7 to 39, compare 90% of AWE to the flat rate of £194.32 — you receive whichever is lower
For most earners above roughly £216/week, the flat rate applies for weeks 7–39 since 90% of their earnings exceeds £194.32
Many employers offer enhanced maternity pay (e.g. full pay for a set number of weeks) on top of or instead of the statutory minimum — check your contract

Frequently asked questions

How much is Statutory Maternity Pay in 2026/27? ▼

SMP is 90% of your average weekly earnings for the first 6 weeks, then the lower of £194.32/week or 90% of AWE for the remaining 33 weeks, giving 39 weeks of paid leave in total.

How long is maternity leave in the UK? ▼

You are entitled to up to 52 weeks of statutory maternity leave. SMP is paid for the first 39 weeks; the final 13 weeks are unpaid unless your employer offers enhanced maternity pay.

Am I eligible for SMP? ▼

You must have worked continuously for your employer for at least 26 weeks by the end of the "qualifying week" (15 weeks before your due date) and earn at least the Lower Earnings Limit on average.

What if I do not qualify for SMP? ▼

If you do not meet the eligibility criteria, you may be able to claim Maternity Allowance instead, which is paid by the government rather than your employer.

📄 Official sources

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🔒 Privacy & disclaimer

All calculations run entirely in your browser. No data is sent to our servers, stored, or shared with any third party.

Results are estimates based on 2026/27 HMRC and DWP rates and are intended as a guide only. They do not constitute financial, tax, or employment law advice. Always verify with HMRC, ACAS, or a qualified adviser for your specific circumstances.