Statutory Maternity Pay

[laurabe]

Hi.. I dont know if this is the correct forum for this but it is worrying me so hope someone can help.

I am currently TTC my first. I work full time.

A workmate who is off on maternity leave has told me she is struggling to cope as her Statutory Maternity Pay is only £400 per month I dont know her salary but it cant be that far away from mine, It sounds like she is getting a third of her wage as Statutory Maternity Pay.

Is this right..? Is it really that low..? It is really puuting my OH off TTC and its really worrying.. Not even pregnant yet and stressing over maternity pay.

Just looking for info really so I know what to expect once I get my BFP!

 

[meglet_nz]

I get £128 a week smp. I'm not sure if it's the same in Scotland though? I also got maternity pay from my work for the first 18 weeks (I'm a teacher) so it depends on what your work offers too xx

 

[laurabe]

we get 6 months full pay and then 6 months SMP. I was reading something else that said it was 90% of your wage but everthing else I have read contradicts that. OH is mega concerened.

 

[Laucu]

If you qualify for SMP, it is paid:

for the first six weeks at 90 per cent of your average gross weekly earnings with no upper limit

for the remaining 33 weeks at the lower of either the standard rate of £128.73, or 90 per cent of your average gross weekly earnings

All the info you need is here: https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyT...ort/Expectingorbringingupchildren/DG_10018741

Your employer may top this up - you'll need to check your contract and/or employee handbook to see what it says.

 

[DragonMummy]

It depends on your employer. I got 14 weeks full pay then 6 months at SMP which is about £500 per month. You can claim child benefit on top of this which is another £80 per month. It's hard but you do manage. I saved all through my pregnancy so I had about £1500 for "treats" like clothes, days out etc. It sounds like a struggle but think of our poor American cousins who only get 6 weeks off then back to work! x

 

[laurabe]

It depends on your employer. I got 14 weeks full pay then 6 months at SMP which is about £500 per month. You can claim child benefit on top of this which is another £80 per month. It's hard but you do manage. I saved all through my pregnancy so I had about £1500 for "treats" like clothes, days out etc. It sounds like a struggle but think of our poor American cousins who only get 6 weeks off then back to work! x

EEk I didnt know that about the americans thats awful!

Thanks for your info.. I guess if i keep stressing there will never ever be a "good time" like you say, we all manage in the end I started saving last month, when I get my BFP i will up my savings a little too. I feel better already thanks ladies.

 

[Arcanegirl]

SMP is about £130ish a week, its due to go up a little in April but only a few £. If she has any deductions through her work like any savings schemes etc that are still coming off then yes it does sound about right.
Im lucky its not a major difference to my part time hours but it is a huge jump for those on full time.

 

[Laucu]

It depends on your employer. I got 14 weeks full pay then 6 months at SMP which is about £500 per month. You can claim child benefit on top of this which is another £80 per month. It's hard but you do manage. I saved all through my pregnancy so I had about £1500 for "treats" like clothes, days out etc. It sounds like a struggle but think of our poor American cousins who only get 6 weeks off then back to work! x

EEk I didnt know that about the americans thats awful!

Thanks for your info.. I guess if i keep stressing there will never ever be a "good time" like you say, we all manage in the end I started saving last month, when I get my BFP i will up my savings a little too. I feel better already thanks ladies.

It is amazing how little you can get by on when you have to. Don't worry - when the time comes you will find a way

 

[meglet_nz]

we get 6 months full pay and then 6 months SMP. I was reading something else that said it was 90% of your wage but everthing else I have read contradicts that. OH is mega concerened.

That's fantastic! I wasnt expecting to get pregnant so quickly so when I did, I worked out how much I needed to save to cover my 12 weeks on half pay abd following weeks on SMP to still be able to cover mortgage and bills. On six months full pay, you'll be able to keep saving for your six months SMP as you really dont spend as much with a LO and as pp said, you'll be surprised by how little you can get by on x x

 

[Vesta]

SMP is 90% of your salary for the first six weeks, then drops to £128 OR 90% of your salary. Whichever is LOWER.

Some companies offer extra on top of SMP.