Shared parental leave pay calculator

How Statutory Shared Parental Pay is calculated

Shared Parental Leave (SPL) lets eligible parents split up to 50 weeks of leave and up to 37 weeks of pay between them after a birth or adoption. Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) is paid at the lower of the statutory weekly rate (£194.32 for 2026/27) or 90% of the claimant's average weekly earnings (AWE). Both parents can receive ShPP simultaneously if they take leave at the same time — each at their own rate.

The 37 paid weeks are created by the mother or primary adopter ending their Statutory Maternity Pay or Statutory Adoption Pay early. For every week of SMP/SAP curtailed, one week of ShPP becomes available. The parents can then split those weeks however they choose, in up to three separate blocks each. The total paid weeks cannot exceed the number of SMP/SAP weeks that were given up.

To claim ShPP, each parent must individually meet the earnings and employment conditions: 26 weeks' continuous service with their employer by the end of the 15th week before the due date (or matching week for adoption) and average weekly earnings of at least £129 (2026/27). The other parent must also meet a separate employment and earnings test over the 66 weeks before the due date. Both conditions must be satisfied before ShPP can be paid.

ShPP is paid through payroll and is subject to income tax and National Insurance. Employers can reclaim the statutory amount from HMRC. Some employers offer enhanced shared parental pay — often matching enhanced maternity pay — so check your staff handbook. Use this calculator to understand the statutory floor before agreeing a leave plan with your employer.