Maternity leave pay

Hey, a maternity pay question... I am currently considering a second child however am over cautious of finances. Myself and my husband both work full time and the finances need to work for us before we try. I've read my company family leave policy and under maternity leave it says the following: 13 weeks full pay 13 weeks half pay 13 weeks statutory pay 13 weeks unpaid My employer pays for occupational maternity which I am happy about but a little confused. After the first 26 weeks when SMP kicks in can I assume it will just be paid at the standard rate of £184.03 or 90% of my average weekly earnings (whichever is higher)? I've never worked for a company that pays more than the SMP. So didn't know if I would still get the first 6 weeks paid at 90% on my earnings or if this is included within the first 13 weeks pay but just as such uplifted. Hoping this makes sense and I haven't confused anyone as much as I've confused myself 😂

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I think enhanced maternity tops up SMP so the 90% will already have been paid. To be sure ask your payroll for a maternity pay projection and they’ll send you a breakdown of what you’ll be paid each week (which can then be paid monthly if that’s your usual payment)

Your best thing to do is talk to your manager or of your in a union just so you get the correct information x

I suspect the first 13 weeks will already account for this

No, that 13 weeks will be at the normal SMP rate. Your employer is topping up SMP for the first 26 weeks. Let’s say you earn £500/week. You’ll get £500 for first 13 weeks, £250 for the next 13 weeks, then a final 13 weeks at £184. Hope that’s clear!

It’ll go straight to the £184 statutory after your enhanced. Your 90% for the first 6 weeks will be topped up by your employer to make it your full pay.

Enhanced pay usually uplifts maternity pay so you will get full/half pay only On the payroll paperwork it would usually say £184 a week + x amount uplifted pay as your employer will be claiming the SMP portion still (if that makes sense) Usually you can contact payroll hr and they can provide a breakdown for you x

Once company pay finishes you get standard smp for the rest of the duration of leave you're taking. So the enhanced will top up the smp for the duration it's paid and then it drops x

Can you not spread it out over the time you’re off? That’s what I’ve done so taken a bigger cut in my pay but receiving roughly the same every month for a full year

Thank you all. I wanted to check as I wasn't sure. I've only ever been paid SMP with my first. At least I know I need to keep saving before thinking of the second 🫣❤️

@Rachel unfortunately I wouldn't feel comfortable talking to my manager as I'm not pregnant yet nor do I plan to for a little while and I'm not covered by a union. I think I'll talk to HR to be on the safe side though she's very friendly with our senior team... x

It depends on your contract, mine specifically states first 6 weeks is SMP (90% of wage) then weeks 7 to 18 of maternity leave would be my EMP where they top up to my full pay. Then weeks 19-39 at SMP £184/week. It also gives me the option to change this to weeks 7-30 at half pay to spread it out more. Your company should have standard documents/policies in your office handbook which should be available to all staff.

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