Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) Quick Calculator

Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) allows eligible parents to share up to 37 weeks of statutory pay between them after the birth or adoption of a child. The mother must curtail her maternity leave and pay to create the shared entitlement. ShPP is paid at £194.32 per week or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower, for 2026/27.

The total shared entitlement is calculated by subtracting the weeks of maternity pay already taken from 39 weeks. For example, if the mother takes 10 weeks of maternity pay, 29 weeks of ShPP are available to share. Both parents must meet eligibility criteria — the person taking ShPP must have 26 weeks' continuous employment and the other parent must have worked for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before the due date.

ShPP can be taken in blocks with gaps between them, allowing parents to alternate caring responsibilities. Each parent can submit up to three notices of entitlement. This calculator models different sharing scenarios and shows the pay each parent receives.

Shared Parental Leave Pay (ShPP) 2026. Rate: lower of £194.32/week or 90% of average weekly earnings. Maximum 37 weeks total ShPP between both parents (vs 39 weeks SMP). Both parents must meet eligibility: 26 weeks continuous service by 15th week before due date AND earn at least £125/week. Mother (or primary adopter) must give up some maternity/adoption leave/pay to convert to ShPP.

How to take ShPL — flexibility rules. Can be taken in: (1) Single continuous block; (2) Up to 3 separate blocks of leave per parent; (3) Concurrent with the other parent (both at home together for some/all). Notify employer 8 weeks before each block of leave. Notification format: 'Notice of Entitlement and Intention to Take' (NOI), then formal 'Period of Leave Notice' (PLN) 8 weeks before each block.

Common ShPL patterns. (1) Mother takes 6-9 months, father takes the remaining 3-6 months alone — useful when mother returns to work; (2) Both parents alternate 2-3 weeks at home — flexibility for different jobs; (3) Father takes 'second half' (months 6-12) — mother's enhanced maternity often higher; (4) Concurrent leave — both at home together first 2-4 weeks for intense bonding period.

ShPL vs enhanced maternity — financial trade-off. Many UK employers offer enhanced maternity pay (full pay 8-26 weeks) but ONLY statutory ShPP (£194.32/week). Father converting maternity pay to ShPP usually means losing enhanced maternity entitlement. Only worth taking if: financial impact bearable, both parents committed to extended bonding, mother's job at risk from extended absence.