Paying self in dividends and maternity allowance

[TremoloGreen]

I'm a freelancer working as a sole trader at the moment but thinking it would be more tax efficient to set up a limited company and pay myself a small salary and the rest in dividends. The thing is, I want to make sure I have made enough National Insurance contributions if I want to claim maternity allowance at any time. Can someone tell me the minimum amount I need to pay myself as a salary to ensure this?

I pay myself the min salary and draw dividends (or SMP when I was pregnant). The monthly salary is £833.33.

Good idea to speak to your accountant though.

Ditto situation but I pay myself £485/month. No NI paid but you fit into a loophole in qualification. HMRC confirmed a couple of weeks ago this is enough for lowest rate smp - our dc2 is due in November.