Statutory Maternity Pay

[SehriM]

Hi everyone,

I have never looked into what maternity pay is, I've only known that it exists. So today, I did a calculation on the gov.uk site and was shocked at how little SMP I would be paid if I fell pregnant. I showed my husband and he said "That's on top of your right salary... right?!" And until he asked that question is always thought that the only income you have whilst on maternity leave is the SMP. I'm on £30,000 and the calculator said I'd receive a total of around £7,000 for the 39 weeks. So... I'm asking a very silly perhaps common sense question:

Is Statutory Maternity Pay in addition to your regular wages or is it the only pay you receive?

He thought you'd continue to get paid your normal salary by your employer whilst on maternity leave and get additional money on top in the form of SMP funded by the tax payer? Why?!

No, you don't get paid salary while you're on maternity leave. You get SMP if you are entitled to it, and many employers offer additional enhanced maternity pay as well.

Apologies if I sound a tad brusque. I'm just genuinely astonished that there is anyone out there who thinks maternity leave should not only be fully funded at normal salary but actually incur additional payments as well.

You only get SMP unless your employer offers extra.my employer offers 26 weeks (6 months) full pay, then SMP for the remaining 13 weeks (3 months).

SMP is shit, only way i'm affording the 3 months on it is because i saved when on full pay so i can use the money now

Also, don't forget you have to still pay tax and ni from SMP earnings!!

Hiya. SMP is your only form of income unless you have an enhanced package through work. Gov.uk will tell you the full calculation.
It can be a bit of shock but people usually prepare and save for maternity leave.

So many do seem to expect maternity pay to be very close to their actual salary, sheer madness. We are very lucky to get nine months at SMP as it's a very generous provision. It's not down to others to fund what is a lifestyle choice.

You'd need to check your company's policy on maternity leave to see if it offers any enhanced pay.