NHS Maternity Pay Guide — Complete Breakdown
NHS Maternity Entitlements (Agenda for Change)
NHS staff on Agenda for Change contracts receive Occupational Maternity Pay (OMP) — one of the best maternity packages in the UK. The amount you receive depends on your length of NHS service at the 11th week before your due date (the "qualifying week").
Maternity Pay Rates by Service Length
| NHS Service |
Weeks 1-8 |
Weeks 9-18 |
Weeks 19-39 |
Weeks 40-52 |
| Less than 1 year |
SMP only (£184.03/week or 90% of salary if less) |
| 1+ years |
Full pay |
Half pay + SMP |
SMP (£184.03/week) |
Unpaid |
Week-by-Week Breakdown (1+ Year Service)
Weeks 1-8: Full Pay (100%)
You receive your normal gross salary for the first 8 weeks. This is paid monthly as usual, with normal tax, NI, and pension deductions.
Example (Band 5 £32,073/year): £2,673/month × 2 months = £5,346
Weeks 9-18: Half Pay + SMP (10 weeks)
You receive 50% of your normal salary PLUS Statutory Maternity Pay (£184.03/week in 2026/27). The SMP is added on top, so you actually receive more than half pay.
Example (Band 5):
- Half pay: £616.30/week
- SMP: £184.03/week
- Total: £800.33/week × 10 weeks = £8,003.30
Weeks 19-39: SMP Only (21 weeks)
You receive Statutory Maternity Pay only — £184.03/week (or 90% of average earnings if less than this).
Total: £184.03 × 21 weeks = £3,864.63
Weeks 40-52: Unpaid (13 weeks)
The final 13 weeks are unpaid, but your job is protected and you continue to accrue annual leave.
Total Maternity Pay Example (Band 5, 1+ Year Service)
| Weeks 1-8 (Full pay) |
£4,936.56 |
| Weeks 9-18 (Half + SMP) |
£8,003.30 |
| Weeks 19-39 (SMP only) |
£3,864.63 |
| Weeks 40-52 (Unpaid) |
£0.00 |
| Total 52 weeks |
£16,804.49 |
Service Length Requirements
Your entitlement depends on continuous NHS service at the 11th week before your due date (the "qualifying week"):
Less than 1 year NHS service
- SMP only — £184.03/week for up to 39 weeks
- OR 90% of average weekly earnings if less than SMP rate
- Unpaid for weeks 40-52
1+ years NHS service
- 8 weeks full pay
- 10 weeks half pay + SMP
- 21 weeks SMP only
- 13 weeks unpaid
- Total: 52 weeks maternity leave entitlement
Keeping in Touch (KIT) Days
You can work up to 10 KIT days during your maternity leave without affecting your maternity pay. These are optional and must be agreed with your manager.
KIT day rules:
- Paid at your normal hourly rate (or agreed rate)
- Can be used for training, meetings, or shifts
- Don't count as "returning to work"
- Don't affect your maternity pay or leave
- Maximum 10 days total throughout maternity leave
Example: Band 5 nurse works 1 KIT shift (12 hours) = 12 × £16.45 = £197.40 extra (plus maternity pay for that week)
Annual Leave During Maternity
You continue to accrue annual leave during maternity leave (both paid and unpaid periods). This is 27 days + 8 bank holidays = 35 days per year.
If you take the full 52 weeks maternity leave, you'll accrue a full year's annual leave (35 days). You can:
- Take it before maternity leave starts
- Add it to the end of maternity leave (extending your time off)
- Take it when you return to work
- Request payment in lieu (Trust discretion)
Returning to Work Early
You can return to work any time after 2 weeks (mandatory maternity leave). If you return early:
- Give 8 weeks' notice to your manager
- Maternity pay stops when you return
- You return to your substantive post
- Unused annual leave can be taken or carried over
Pension During Maternity Leave
Paid maternity leave (Weeks 1-39)
- You pay pension contributions on the pay you receive
- Your employer pays contributions on your FULL salary
- This counts as pensionable service
Unpaid maternity leave (Weeks 40-52)
- No contributions paid
- Still counts as pensionable service (you get credit for the time)
- No cost to you
Bottom line: The full 52 weeks counts toward your NHS pension, even the unpaid weeks!
Tax and National Insurance
Maternity pay is taxable income. You pay:
- Income tax (if total income exceeds personal allowance)
- National Insurance (on weeks 1-18 usually)
- Pension contributions (on the pay you receive)
Many staff drop below the tax threshold during SMP-only weeks (weeks 19-39) and pay little or no tax during this period.
Shared Parental Leave (SPL)
You can convert unused maternity leave to Shared Parental Leave and share it with your partner (if they're also eligible). This allows:
- Up to 50 weeks shared leave
- Up to 37 weeks shared pay
- Flexible patterns (e.g., alternate weeks/months)
You must take at least 2 weeks maternity leave first, then the remaining leave can be shared.
Maternity Leave Notice Periods
| Notification |
When |
| Inform manager you're pregnant |
By 15 weeks before due date |
| Confirm maternity leave start date |
28 days before start date |
| Return to work early |
8 weeks' notice |
| Extend maternity leave |
28 days before original return date |
Maternity Risk Assessment
Your employer must conduct a pregnancy risk assessment and make reasonable adjustments if your work poses risks. This might include:
- Avoiding heavy lifting or physical tasks
- Avoiding night shifts if requested
- Modifying duties (e.g., no invasive procedures)
- Providing rest breaks and facilities
- Temporary redeployment to safer role (on full pay)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much maternity pay will I get?
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With 1+ years NHS service: 8 weeks full pay, 10 weeks half pay + SMP (£184.03/week), 21 weeks SMP only, then 13 weeks unpaid. Total paid period is 39 weeks.
Do I need 1 year service to get OMP?
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Yes — you need 1 year continuous NHS service at the 11th week before your due date. Less than 1 year = SMP only (£184.03/week for 39 weeks).
Is maternity pay taxable?
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Yes — maternity pay is taxable income. You pay normal tax, NI, and pension on the pay you receive. Many staff pay little or no tax during SMP-only weeks as income drops below tax threshold.
Can I work during maternity leave?
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Yes — you can work up to 10 "Keeping in Touch" (KIT) days without affecting your maternity pay. These are optional and paid at your normal rate.
Do I still get annual leave during maternity?
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Yes — you accrue full annual leave (27 days + 8 bank holidays) during ALL maternity leave, including unpaid weeks. You can add this to the end of maternity leave or take it when you return.
Does maternity leave count toward my NHS pension?
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Yes — all 52 weeks count as pensionable service, even unpaid weeks 40-52. During paid weeks, your employer pays pension contributions on your full salary (even when you're on half pay or SMP).
When is the earliest I can return to work?
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2 weeks after birth (mandatory maternity leave). After that, you can return any time with 8 weeks' notice. Your job is protected for the full 52 weeks.
Can my partner share my maternity leave?
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Yes — you can convert unused maternity leave to Shared Parental Leave (SPL) after taking at least 2 weeks yourself. This allows you and your partner to share up to 50 weeks leave and 37 weeks pay.