Statutory Maternity Pay 2026/27: 194.32 per week
Edited by Oliver Wakefield-Smith, Founder of Digital Signet. Last reviewed 23 June 2026.
Direct answer
What is the 2026/27 SMP rate?
194.32per week, weeks 7 to 39
From 6 April 2026 the SMP standard rate is 194.32 per week, or 90% of average weekly earnings if lower. The Lower Earnings Limit stays at 125 per week. Statutory Adoption Pay, Shared Parental Pay, Paternity Pay and Parental Bereavement Pay are all set at the same 194.32 weekly figure for 2026/27.
The 2026/27 figures
| Rate | 2026/27 |
|---|---|
| SMP standard weekly rate (weeks 7 to 39) | 194.32 |
| SMP 90% phase (weeks 1 to 6) | 90% of AWE |
| Lower Earnings Limit (eligibility floor) | 125.00 |
| Statutory Paternity Pay weekly rate | 194.32 |
| Statutory Adoption Pay weekly rate (weeks 7+) | 194.32 |
| Statutory Shared Parental Pay weekly rate | 194.32 |
| Maternity Allowance weekly rate | 194.32 |
| Personal allowance (tax-free) | 12,570.00 |
| Small Employers Relief NI threshold | 45,000.00 |
How the rate compares
The 2026/27 standard rate of 194.32 is a 7.14 per week rise on the 2025/26 rate of 187.18, a cash uplift of 3.82%. Over a full 33 weeks of flat-rate pay that is 235.62 of additional gross SMP.
Statutory Instrument
All these rates are set by The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2026 (SI 2026/201), laid before Parliament in early 2026 and in force from 6 April 2026. The Order reflects the September 2025 CPI figure of 3.8% used by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.
FAQ
When does the new rate take effect?
6 April 2026.
Does the rate apply if my leave started before 6 April 2026?
Yes. From the first full week of SMP that falls on or after 6 April 2026, you receive the new 194.32 weekly figure if you were previously on the flat rate.
Did the LEL change?
No. The Lower Earnings Limit is unchanged at 125 per week for 2026/27.