I messed up maternity pay?

[Irisrises]

I think I have given myself less money for the initual 6 week SMP and my employer extends this by 6 weeks. So 12 weeks less maternity pay.

I have a salary sacrifice pension at work of 6% that I match. I was also paying into my pension privately as well at £200/month. Stupidly I switched to pay this through salary sacrifice in my workplace pension to save on NI.

So when my maternity pay is calculated, I will now have lost £200 from my wage. So maternity pay will be calculated based on the lower wage.

Is this right? I cant believe I did this and didnt think it through.

Yes the 90% for first 6 weeks is based on NIable pay in 8 weeks up to the qualifying week so salary sacrifice would reduce this unfortunately. Are you already past qualifying week?

Yes im 26 weeks now so can't change it. I completely overlooked it and though about saving on NI and Tax but didn't think through smp. Ughhhh so frustrating!

don’t forget your employer needs to continue your full contributions, both employer and employer while you’re receiving maternity pay so it might still work out better for you long term.