Silyxa

Updated for 2026/27

NHS maternity pay calculator

See your real take-home pay for each month of your leave.

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Example figures. Type your own.

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Your result

MonthBefore taxTake-homeAgainst normal
May 2027£2,933£2,210+£11
Jun 2027£2,885£2,179−£21
Jul 2027£2,717£2,069−£131
Aug 2027£2,351£1,830−£370
Sep 2027£2,275£1,780−£419
Oct 2027£2,351£1,830−£370
Nov 2027£1,842£1,498−£702
Dec 2027£861£841−£1,359
Jan 2028£861£841−£1,359
Feb 2028£555£617−£1,583
Mar 2028£0£210−£1,990
Apr 2028£0£0−£2,200
May 2028£941£863−£1,337

Tax is worked out across each tax year, so a lower month can bring a refund. The first and last months include normal pay.

Your 52 weeks

Weeks 1 to 8: full pay
£5,385
Weeks 9 to 26: half pay plus statutory
£9,555
Weeks 27 to 39: statutory pay
£2,526
Weeks 40 to 52: unpaid
£0
Total
£17,466

Before deductions.

Who pays

NHS pay
£7,419
Statutory Maternity Pay
£10,047
Total
£17,466

Refundable NHS pay is the first line.

Your normal pay

Before tax a month
£2,917
Take-home a month
£2,200
Pension rate
8.3%

On a yearly salary of £35,000.

NHS pay paidHighest monthLowest month
As normal£2,210£0
Over 9 months£2,523£0
Over 10 months£2,470£0
Over 12 months£2,390£561

Take-home pay. The total stays the same, so spreading only smooths your income.

Dates to act on

Tell your manager by
27 Feb 2027
Earliest your leave can start
21 Mar 2027
Your leave starts
24 May 2027
Your leave ends
21 May 2028

At least 28 days' notice is needed to change your start date.

Dates that decide your pay

Qualifying week
21 Feb 2027 to 27 Feb 2027
12 months of NHS service by
21 Mar 2027
Started with this employer by
5 Sept 2026
Earnings limit
£129 a week

The employer start date is for Statutory Maternity Pay.

  • Check this If you don't return to NHS work for at least 3 months, you can be asked to refund your NHS pay of £7,419. You'd keep any statutory pay. You need to be back within 15 months of your leave starting, by 24 Aug 2028.

Half pay starts on 19 Jul 2027, statutory pay only from 22 Nov 2027, and pay stops after 20 Feb 2028.

  • Note Your pension rate of 8.3% is set by your actual yearly pay, and comes off your maternity pay. Payments for unpaid leave aren't included here.
  • Note Rates after April 2027 aren't all published, so this uses 2026/27 rates throughout.
  • Note This uses your salary to estimate average weekly earnings. Your real figure comes from your pay in the 8 weeks up to the qualifying week, so overtime or a recent pay rise can change it.
  • Note This covers Agenda for Change staff. Doctors and dentists have their own terms. Estimates assume the standard 1257L tax code, monthly pay and equal days.

Uses 2026/27 rates, checked 7 November 2026. Your figures stay in your browser. Tested against the official rates and published worked examples. See how this is calculated.

How NHS maternity pay works

If you work under Agenda for Change and have 12 months of NHS service, you get NHS pay on top of your statutory pay. It's set out in section 15 of the NHS terms and conditions.

WeeksYou get
1 to 8Full pay, including any statutory pay
9 to 26Half pay, plus statutory pay, up to your full pay
27 to 39Statutory pay only
40 to 52No pay

Statutory Maternity Pay is 90% of your average weekly earnings for 6 weeks, then £194.32 a week or 90% if that's lower, for 33 weeks.

What it looks like month by month

A £35,000 salary brings about £17,466 over the year before deductions, but the months aren't equal. Normal take-home is about £2,200 a month. It falls to about £841 once you're on statutory pay alone, and your pay stops for the last 13 weeks. That's why this calculator shows real calendar months, not just the 4 stages.

Tax works across the tax year, so a month of lower pay can bring a tax refund. It's one reason your maternity payslips won't match a simple weekly sum.

Who qualifies for NHS maternity pay?

With less than 12 months of NHS service, or if you don't plan to return, you may still get Statutory Maternity Pay. To get that, you need 26 weeks with your employer by the qualifying week, and average earnings of at least £129 a week.

Spreading your NHS maternity pay

You can ask to have your NHS pay spread equally, by agreement with your employer. The total doesn't change, but the months even out. On £35,000, spreading over 12 months means you still get about £561 in your lowest month, instead of nothing, while your highest month changes from about £2,210 to about £2,390. Compare every option in the Spread pay tab.

If you don't go back

If you've said you'll return but don't work for an NHS employer within 15 months of your leave starting, you can be asked to refund your NHS pay, though not your statutory pay. On £35,000 that's about £7,419. Employers can waive this if it would cause undue hardship or distress.

NHS maternity pay questions

Do NHS staff get full maternity pay?

For the first 8 weeks, yes, if you qualify. After that it's half pay plus statutory pay for 18 weeks, then statutory pay for 13 weeks.

Is NHS maternity pay after tax?

No. The scheme's figures are before deductions. Income Tax, National Insurance and any student loan come off, as they do from your normal pay. This calculator shows what's left.

How is NHS maternity pay calculated?

Full pay uses the same average weekly earnings rules as Statutory Maternity Pay, with any pay award treated as if it applied throughout that period. So regular extras can count. This calculator estimates it from your yearly pay.

What if I have less than 12 months' service?

You won't get NHS pay, but you may get Statutory Maternity Pay. If not, you could get Maternity Allowance. Choose No NHS pay above to see it.

Do I get NHS maternity pay if I change trusts?

Usually, yes. The 12 months can be with one or more NHS employers, and some short breaks can be ignored. Your Statutory Maternity Pay depends on your current employer, so you might get Maternity Allowance instead.

Can I get it on a fixed-term contract?

If you meet the conditions, your contract is extended so you can receive your leave. If you don't have 12 months' service, you may still get statutory pay.

What happens to my NHS Pension on maternity leave?

If you're an active member, you keep contributing, based on the pay you receive, whether that's full pay, half pay or Statutory Maternity Pay. Your rate is set by your yearly pay. Contributions for unpaid leave aren't in this calculator, so ask your payroll team.

How many KIT days can I work?

Up to 10 keeping in touch days, without ending your leave. They don't extend your leave, and this calculator doesn't include pay for them.

Does this work for doctors, or in Scotland?

It's built for Agenda for Change staff. Doctors and dentists have their own terms. NHS Scotland has its own pay and pension rates, so enter your own salary and check your policy.

Is this official?

No. Silyxa is independent and has no link to the NHS. Your payroll team has the final figures.

Sources

Checked on 7 November 2026 against the 2026/27 tax year.