Maternity Leave Calculator
Estimate total paid maternity leave income by combining statutory benefit payments with any employer top-up. Use it when planning finances before taking parental leave.
About this calculator
Maternity leave pay typically combines a statutory benefit rate applied to your weekly salary with an optional employer supplement. The core formula is: totalPaid = (weeklySalary × paidLeaveWeeks × benefitRate) + employerSupplement. The benefit rate is the fraction of your salary covered by statutory pay (e.g., 0.9 for 90%). If your employer offers a top-up, an additional 20% of salary for the paid weeks is added: employerSupplement = weeklySalary × paidLeaveWeeks × 0.20. The unpaid portion of any extended leave is calculated as: unpaidAmount = (weeklySalary × totalLeaveWeeks) − totalPaid. The result shows total money received during leave, helping you budget for any income gap during unpaid weeks.
How to use
Imagine a weekly salary of $800, 16 total leave weeks, 12 paid leave weeks, a benefit rate of 0.9 (90%), and an employer top-up. Base pay = $800 × 12 × 0.9 = $8,640. Employer supplement = $800 × 12 × 0.20 = $1,920. Total paid = $8,640 + $1,920 = $10,560. Total salary if fully paid = $800 × 16 = $12,800. Unpaid amount = $12,800 − $10,560 = $2,240. Enter your figures to see your personalised maternity pay estimate.
Frequently asked questions
How is statutory maternity pay calculated and what rate does it use?
Statutory maternity pay (SMP) in many countries is paid at a set percentage of your average weekly earnings, often around 90% for the first several weeks and then a flat rate thereafter. The exact rate and duration vary by country and employer policy. This calculator lets you enter your specific benefit rate as a decimal so you can model any jurisdiction. Always check your employment contract and government guidelines for the precise figures that apply to you.
What is an employer maternity top-up and how does it affect my total pay?
An employer top-up is an additional payment your company makes above the statutory benefit, bringing your income closer to your normal salary during leave. In this calculator it is modelled as 20% of your weekly salary for the paid leave weeks. In practice, top-up amounts vary widely — some employers offer full salary for several weeks while others offer nothing extra. Confirm your employer's specific policy in your HR documentation before planning your budget.
How much unpaid maternity leave can I afford to take based on my savings?
To estimate affordability, subtract your total paid maternity income from your projected expenses for the full leave period. The gap represents how much you need in savings or alternative income. This calculator shows both total paid income and the unpaid shortfall, giving you a clear picture of the financial gap. Financial advisors often recommend building 3–6 months of living expenses before going on leave to cover any unpaid portion comfortably.