NHS Maternity Pay Calculator

From 6 April 2025, the Statutory Maternity Pay rates are:

• First 6 weeks: 90% of your Average Weekly Earnings (no cap)
• Weeks 7-39: £187.18 per week or 90% of AWE, whichever is lower
• Lower Earnings Limit: You must earn at least £125 per week on average to qualify

For most NHS employees earning above £208 per week (approximately £10,800 annually), the flat rate of £187.18 applies for weeks 7-39. The first 6 weeks at 90% of AWE are uncapped, so higher earners benefit more during this initial period.

The SMP rate increased from £184.03 (2024/25) to £187.18 (2025/26), reflecting a 1.7% increase in line with inflation.

To qualify for NHS OMP under Agenda for Change, you need:

• 12 months continuous NHS service by the 11th week before your expected week of childbirth
• Employment under Agenda for Change terms and conditions
• Written intention to return to NHS employment for at least 3 months after maternity leave

The 3-month return requirement is flexible: it can be at any NHS Trust or board, in any capacity, and accrued annual leave counts toward this period. If your contract ends during maternity leave, you do not have to return.

If you do not return for at least 3 months, your employer may ask you to repay the OMP portion. However, Section 15.41 of the NHS maternity policy states that employers have discretion to waive repayment in cases of undue hardship or distress.

Note: Bank staff typically do not qualify for OMP but may be entitled to SMP depending on earnings. Employers may review OMP entitlement for bank staff who can demonstrate regular work patterns.

AWE is calculated from your gross earnings during the relevant period, which runs from the last normal payday falling at least 8 weeks before the end of the qualifying week to the last normal payday on or before the Saturday of the qualifying week.

Monthly-Paid Staff:

Add total earnings from 2 monthly payslips in the relevant period, divide by 2, multiply by 12, divide by 52. Do not round the result (GOV.UK requirement).

Weekly-Paid Staff:

Add all earnings in the relevant period and divide by 8 (the number of weeks).

Included in AWE:

Basic salary, overtime, bonuses, London weighting, SSP, holiday pay, shift premiums, unsocial hours, and arrears. All earnings liable to Class 1 NI are included.

Salary Sacrifice Warning:

Salary sacrifice schemes reduce your gross pay and therefore your AWE. This could push you below the £125 Lower Earnings Limit, making you ineligible for SMP. Consider temporarily opting out before your qualifying week if this is a risk.

Yes, you can request to spread your Occupational Maternity Pay evenly over 52 weeks. However, there are important things to understand:

• SMP cannot be spread. When you choose spread OMP, SMP begins 8 weeks after your leave starts (rather than immediately).
• Standard OMP gives you higher pay early on (8 weeks full, 18 weeks half) but nothing in weeks 40-52.
• Spread OMP provides a consistent amount every week for the full year, which can make budgeting easier.
• Request spread payments through your NHS Trust HR department before your maternity leave begins.

Note: Some Trusts may not offer the spread payment facility. Check with your HR department to confirm availability.

If you do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay, you may be eligible for Maternity Allowance (MA) instead.

Maternity Allowance Eligibility:

• You have been employed or self-employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before your due date (weeks do not need to be consecutive)
• You earned at least £30 per week for 13 of those weeks
• You do not qualify for SMP from any employer

Maternity Allowance Rates 2025/26:

• Up to £187.18 per week for 39 weeks (or 90% of AWE if lower)
• You can choose your highest-earning 13 weeks to maximise your allowance
• Self-employed with insufficient Class 2 NI: £27 per week

Apply through Jobcentre Plus or GOV.UK using form MA1 from 26 weeks of pregnancy. Even if you are not entitled to OMP or SMP, you are still entitled to take 52 weeks of maternity leave.

NHS Pension contribution rates for 2025/26 are tiered based on your pensionable pay:

• Up to £13,245: 5.1%
• £13,246 to £23,759: 5.2%
• £23,760 to £43,805: 6.5%
• £43,806 to £49,245: 8.3%
• £49,246 to £61,207: 9.8%
• £61,208 to £68,523: 10.0%
• £68,524 to £79,574: 11.6%
• £79,575+: 12.5%

During paid maternity leave, pension contributions are deducted from your actual pay received. During unpaid weeks (40-52), no contributions are taken. Your pension membership remains continuous throughout maternity leave. You can explore the impact on your pension using our NHS Pension Calculator.