Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)

[sarah1986]

Hi All,

Hoping someone can clarify this for me, I'm confused on SMP.

My company do an enhanced maternity pay so i get 100% pay for the first 13 weeks, 50% for the next 13 weeks then SMP after than.

The Gov website says the following

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid for up to 39 weeks. You get:

• 90% of your average weekly earnings (before tax) for the first 6 weeks - I obviously will get 100% pay for the first 13 weeks
• £145.18 or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks

So does that mean i will get £145.18 on top of what my company is already paying me?

Confused!!

Thanks Sarah

 

[Mayflower85]

I think it means you'll get SMP for the remaining 13 weeks after the weeks of 100% and 50%.

Not that you'll get 100% pay and SMP for the first 13 weeks.

Check with your HR.

 

[netty]

yes the above response is right as your enhanced scheme is EXACTLY the same as mine

 

[sarah1986]

So basically we would get SMP for the last 3 months is that right?

 

[netty]

thats right, it isnt much either I am afraid.



I have chosen to take a year with the last 3 months unpaid *gulp* i think your SMP will only be for another 13 weeks too?

 

[sarah1986]

Ok great thank you, thats been of help

Thank fully I have savings to cover my wages so 9 months will be ok, its just the 12 I still have to decide about haha, plenty of time yet thou

 

[Mayflower85]

Your lucky to get such good pay though, I only get SMP

 

[netty]

Ok great thank you, thats been of help

Thank fully I have savings to cover my wages so 9 months will be ok, its just the 12 I still have to decide about haha, plenty of time yet thou

yeah i have saved for the last 3 months but my company also give me 500 bonus for having a baby which is fab! and I wont be hammering fuel/ central city parking so i will be quids in from that!


Mayflower - yes the scheme at my work is fab, i have worked here 8 years now so it really feels good they are supporting me financially so well!

 

[liz85]

Can you spread out your maternity pay? I work for nhs and have the option of spreading my payments out.

 

[MrsBunny]

My HR also said there's the option to use the holiday I've accrued - e.g. The last month before I come back could be all holiday (on full pay). Not sure whether id do that, or use the holiday to effectively come back part time without a pay cut (e.g. book every Friday off)

 

[netty]

yeah i can do this MrsBunny, i will have oct-april to use up my 28 days holiday plus i get my bank holidays back too sdo it will end up being like 30+days As a result i will go back 3 days a week using my holidays for mon/fridays

 

[MoominGirl]

I'm also NHS and planning to take the year off so good to know you can spread the payments over that time. I'm planning to use up my remaining leave for this year before I start leave and will also have a few extra days due to the bank holidays. I'll also use some up before I go back as I'll have a whole years leave to take plus bank holidays. I plan to go back part time though.

 

[Firecracker]

Your lucky to get such good pay though, I only get SMP

Me too, its so annoying isn't it! Actually I qualify for Company Maternity Pay... a further 2 weeks at 90%. 2 WEEKS!? Are they taking the p*ss!?

Ladies you are very lucky to get that amazing package!
xx

 

[liz85]

I'm also NHS and planning to take the year off so good to know you can spread the payments over that time. I'm planning to use up my remaining leave for this year before I start leave and will also have a few extra days due to the bank holidays. I'll also use some up before I go back as I'll have a whole years leave to take plus bank holidays. I plan to go back part time though.

Yes my friend did it and said it was a great idea and told me to do it as-well. Meant she had the same amount of money most months x