Can someone just explain in one sentence what maternity pay I'm entitled to please? Am being really dim about this...

[Millie26]

I am entitled to SMP and dont intend to go back to work afterwards. Employer just pays standard SMP.

Is this right?:

1. 90% of wages for 6 weeks
2. SMP (one book says £112 another £177 a week?) which is taxed, for another 33 weeks

So 39 wks in total.

Then there is AMP? or OMP?

Are any of the rest of the weeks up to 52 weeks paid?

Desperately trying to work out my money and getting really confused.

Thank you!!

[Rhian82]

SMP is £117 a week as far as I know.

The first six months (so 6 weeks on 90%, then 20 weeks on SMP) are Ordinary Maternity Leave (OML). The second six months (13 weeks on SMP, 13 weeks unpaid) are Additional Maternity Leave (AML).

Hope that makes sense!

[lou031205]

Yes. You will get 90% pay for 6 weeks, followed by 33 weeks of £117.18. 39 weeks in total.

The OML/AML thing is important only if you intend to go back to work.

[Millie26]

Thank you

So, if I don't go back to work I get 39 weeks but if I do I get 52?

[Ginni]

some companies pay above the rates you mentioned - I take it your company doesn't, and no company maternity policy available for clarification? My HR department were kind enough to send me a schedule of payments to clarify things for me, might be worth asking something similar of your company.

[lou031205]

No Millie. You only get paid 39 weeks regardless, but you are entitled to 52 weeks of leave if you want to return to your job. 39 paid, 13 unpaid.

[Millie26]

Thanks everyone.

The Pregnancy pack from the midwife isn't very clear - so this has been really helpful.

[Dozymare]

sorry can i add to this? (don't mean to hijack but jsut as confused!)

I don't plan on going back to work either - If i take AMP will I need to pay it back?? If i change my mind and do decide to return, does it make a difference if I do it within SMP or AMP??

thanks

[OhSheesh]

The best place to get information about maternity pay is from the direct.gov.uk website. The site is great for finding out anything to do with the government.

Look at this page for information on maternity pay, including a really useful tool that will produce a personalised statement of what you will be entitled to, although it will not include anything over and above the minimum requirements that your company may pay you, which is why you should check with them about your entitlements.