moving abroad during maternity leave....

[dilbertina]

I am currently 15 weeks (ish!) in to my maternity leave, and get SMP plus various benefits incl. contribution into a private pension. In a couple of weeks we are moving to France and I will obviously not be returning to work. I have told my boss this informally.

Should I still get SMP and any benefits despite moving abroad?

Many thanks for any advice!

[flowerybeanbag]

To get SMP you need to be still employed at 25 weeks pregnant. If you are leaving to go abroad in a couple of weeks I am assuming that won't be the case, in which case you won't get SMP or anything else.

If you can stay at work until 25 weeks pregnant, then leave your job, you will get SMP only.

If you can stay at work until 29 weeks, you can start your maternity leave then and stay employed for up to a year, and would get SMP plus your other contractual benefits including holiday pay.

[flowerybeanbag]

Ignore me completely, I didn't read your OP correctly, sorry.

If you are already in your maternity leave, then where you spend it is up to you, and as long as you give your normal contractual notice you can resign with effect from a year after you started mat leave without losing anything.

[dilbertina]

Cool, would be silly to resign officially sooner than I have to! Many thanks Flowery.

[Hug0m0nkey]

hi Dilbertina. I am moving back home to NZ 2 weeks after I begin my materity leave. Just make sure you dont need to pay any enhanced pay, or benefits back if you dont return to work.