NHS Maternity Pay Calculator 2026/27
NHS occupational maternity pay is far more generous than statutory pay alone — but it steps down in four phases over 52 weeks. See exactly what each phase pays at your band, week by week.
The four phases of NHS maternity pay
| Leave weeks | What you are paid | Band 5 entry, per week |
|---|---|---|
| 1–8 | Full pay (occupational pay tops up SMP) | £614.43 |
| 9–26 | Half pay + SMP, capped at full pay | £501.53 |
| 27–39 | SMP only — £194.32 a week | £194.32 |
| 40–52 | Unpaid (you can use accrued annual leave) | £0 |
At the Band 5 entry point that is £16,469.15 over the year, against £9,730.46 from statutory pay alone — occupational pay adds £6,738.69. Annual leave keeps accruing throughout maternity leave, including the unpaid weeks, and many staff use it to soften the final phase or to phase their return.
Who qualifies — and what if you don’t return?
Occupational maternity pay under Agenda for Change (Section 15) requires 12 months’ continuous service with one or more NHS employers by the 11th week before your expected week of childbirth, and covers you whether you work full-time or part-time (it is based on your actual weekly pay). Continuous service can span different NHS employers as long as any break is under the rules in Section 15 — check breaks carefully before assuming you have reset the clock, because breaks of a week or less do not break continuity and some longer breaks still count.
The occupational element is paid on the understanding that you return to NHS work for at least three months after your leave. If you don’t return, your employer can reclaim the occupational pay — everything except the SMP element, which is yours to keep. Statutory pay itself (39 weeks) has lighter conditions: 26 weeks’ service with your employer by the qualifying week and average earnings of at least £129 a week. Staff who qualify for neither can usually claim Maternity Allowance — £194.32 a week for up to 39 weeks in 2026/27 — so almost nobody gets nothing.
Sources: NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook (Section 15 — maternity); GOV.UK — maternity pay and leave (SMP rates). This page estimates occupational pay for Agenda for Change staff; medical and dental staff have their own contractual scheme.
Maternity pay questions
How much maternity pay do NHS staff get?
With 12 months’ service: eight weeks at full pay, 18 weeks at half pay plus SMP (capped at full pay), then 13 weeks at SMP only (£194.32 a week in 2026/27), and the final 13 weeks unpaid. A Band 5 nurse at the entry point receives £16,469.15 over the 52 weeks — about £6,739 more than statutory pay alone.
Do I have to repay NHS maternity pay if I don’t go back?
The occupational element, yes — it is paid on the condition that you return to NHS work for at least three months. Your employer can reclaim everything above the statutory element. Statutory Maternity Pay itself is never repayable.
Does maternity leave affect my NHS pension?
While you are paid, pension contributions continue based on the maternity pay you actually receive, and your pension builds on that amount. During the unpaid final weeks no contributions are taken — membership continues, and you can ask about buying back the missed build afterwards. Your service still counts towards your annual leave entitlement throughout.
When does NHS maternity pay start, and can I work during it?
You can start leave from the 11th week before your due week, and pay follows your leave start. You can work up to ten keeping-in-touch (KIT) days without losing maternity pay — they are paid at your normal rate, offset against that week’s maternity pay. Shared parental leave lets you convert some of the later weeks to share with a partner, ending occupational maternity pay when you switch.