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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Maternity Pay

13 replies

user1494844397 · 15/05/2017 13:35

Me and my partner are trying for a baby and I'm currently trying to get our finances in order. I'm completely confused by what I will get pay wise, I know I will get 18 weeks full pay, but after that do I still get statutory maternity pay for 33 weeks? I am so confused!

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Original poster

user1494844397 · 15/05/2017 13:36

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RNBrie · 15/05/2017 13:38

Yes you do. You get 39 weeks of statutory, your employer may offer enhanced maternity pay on top of this but they can't take away your statutory pay.

RNBrie · 15/05/2017 13:39

Sorry, if you get 18 weeks full pay you'll get 21 weeks statutory. So a total of 39 weeks.

Jessiecat27 · 15/05/2017 13:43

You're really lucky to get that much full pay though! Mine is no where near that long unfortunately!

Spam88 · 15/05/2017 13:45

Statutory maternity pay is 90% of your average weekly earnings for 6 weeks, then about £140 a week for 33 weeks (unless this is more than your average weekly earnings, in which case you stay at 90%) so a total of 39 weeks paid. You're entitled to 52 weeks off but the last 13 are unpaid.

As PP said, your employer can offer you an enhanced package but that is the minimum that you're entitled to. So if they're giving you full pay for 18 weeks (which is very generous!) then you'd also still be entitled to the £140 for the following 21 weeks to take you up to that 39 week mark.

FruitBadger · 15/05/2017 13:45

You will get both but I'm not sure, from your wording, if you think the statutory will start when the work one ends? Most employers will reduce the amount you get by the amount of SMP you receive, but you'll need to double check your contract & employer's maternity policy.

What is most likely to happen based on what you've said is...
18 weeks at full pay
21 weeks at SMP
Then nothing (unless / until you go back to work)

So will will have received 39 weeks SMP but the first 18 weeks will have been included in your full pay.

smu06set · 15/05/2017 13:47

18 weeks full pay!! Not even teachers get that!!

Presh1234 · 15/05/2017 13:54

I'm in UAE and we get 45 days total.

Original poster

user1494844397 · 15/05/2017 13:58

Thank you! Does SMP normally start when after your employer has given you the maximum, in my case 18 weeks? It's only last month that my work has increased maternity benefits (before April it was 12 weeks full pay). Just need to get pregnant now, not easy when you have one ovary and potentially pcos!

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GahBuggerit · 15/05/2017 14:04

Smp starts from the first day you are off, as your employer is enhancing this to full pay for 18 weeks that means from weeks 19-39 you will get smp only

MaverickSnoopy · 15/05/2017 14:05

SMP starts from your first day of mat leave, for everyone who is entitled. You will probably see it offset on your payslips for the first 18 weeks. Once your occupational mat pay has ended you then just get SMP. You just suddenly started getting paid at a lower rate on your usual pay day, there's no gap or anything like that.

Spam88 · 15/05/2017 14:11

As others said, statutory pay starts from day 1, just your employer in your case is topping it up to full pay. So you still get 39 paid weeks in total, you don't get your 18 weeks full pay plus then 39 weeks statutory.

Original poster

user1494844397 · 15/05/2017 14:26

Thank you!

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