Maternity pay

[nadiamumoftwo]

No but really, how do people afford to go on maternity??! I’m 28 so beginning to think about babies and the future and I just can’t fathom how anyone survives on SMP? I get 3 month full pay (luckily) but after that it’s SMP. I am a teacher in Scotland and all my outgoings as pretty much accounted for. Do people save up for a year before going for it to ensure they have a “wage” for a year?

@Mammyloveswine

3 months full pay?? Im a teacher in england and got 4 weeks full pay, 2 weeks at 90% pay then 12 weeks half pay plus statutory... then just statutory..

I took 6 months off both times...

Teachers maternity is certainly better than statutory but is shocking compared to othet professions

Yeah from my understanding it’s 3 month full then only SMP for up to 9 month (could be wrong with the length on that one)

Mine is 3 months full pay, 3 months 50% pay, then smp
I wonder if I could negotiate 6 months full pay? My company is really good at looking after its employers usually

I get why women go back to work earlier, smp is just not a sustainable amount for anyone to survive on. Op it's the nursery fees you need to worry about, they cost far too much

Maternity pay is shocking!
I am really lucky and worked two jobs, two different companies before I was pregnant and during pregnancy which means I have qualified for maternity pay from both. The max stat from my main job and then around £400 from the second job (due to tax just now).
We're also moving house (not through choice but hey ho) where we'll be saving around £400 in rent and council tax. Also the council tax break we'll get in feb and March which will save us £230 each month with that.
We didn't save beforehand but reckon we'll manage as our outgoings are not too much at the moment and we have a good bit leftover each month

I know what you mean about wanting to stay independent and I felt the same, but I think it's important to have the finance chat with your partner before falling pregnant so you are both on the same page. Your partner should definetely be paying more during this time :)