Shared parental leave calculator

Shared parental leave (SPL) converts unused maternity entitlement into a family pot: whatever's left of 52 weeks' leave and 39 weeks' pay when the mother curtails her maternity leave, shareable in blocks between both parents.

The trade every couple should price

The mother's first 6 weeks of SMP pay 90% of her salary with no cap; every week of ShPP pays at most £194.32. Curtailing before week 6 gives up the most valuable weeks in the system — so almost every optimal plan has the mother keeping at least 6 weeks, and SPL starting after. Occupational schemes change the maths again: NHS full-pay weeks are worth even more.

Eligibility, briefly

• The parent taking SPL: employee with 26 weeks' service by the 15th week before the due date, still employed the week before each block.
• The other parent: the "employment and earnings test" — 26 of the previous 66 weeks worked, earning £30+/week in 13 of them (self-employment counts).
• Notice: the mother's curtailment notice plus a booking notice 8 weeks before each block; up to 3 separate blocks each (more if the employer agrees).