Band 7 maternity pay

I’m a band 7 and I’ve not spread mine as I didn’t feel it would benefit me. I’ve saved around 5k to add towards the months where the pay goes down.

Did you also pause your pension? Unfortunately the money we did save up had to go on a van as my partners broke and he needs it for work 🤦‍♀️

I didn’t spread mine, but I only took 8/9 months so didn’t have long on SMP. Then used leave and bank holidays for another month and used the rest to do 2/3 days for a few weeks

I didn’t pause my pension, but I have done in the past and it gives a little bit extra every month, don’t forget you’ll be taxed slightly more if you don’t pay into your pension! x

Hi, I am not a band 7 but a band 6. I took 12 months of matternity leave and spread it over 12 month. I think for me it was the best decission as the last 3 months I still have income although reduced. I still saved some money before and used it to top up as needed mainly those last 3 months. Because I was getting less money monthly after spreading the income, I got less tax /tax returned.

Last time I spread my payments, this time I'm not (not convinced they did it right last time and so many others said the same)
I kept my pension for a few months last time, cancelling it for the whole leave this time.

I'd love to save some money between now and may buy probably not going to happen.

I've cut my hours to 30 hours since being back from mat leave as well.

I spread mine out over 12 months. I actually went back early (at 10 months) as I didn’t enjoy maternity leave.

The first two months were financially harder, and last 3 would have been, as SMP stopped, and obviously having stretched the OMP.

If I were to go on mat leave again I wouldn’t spread, but just take 9 months off and then use accrued annual leave to have further time off, or to stagger going back full time.

I’m top 7 and took both as spread over 12 months I don’t get enhancements but I was going to be taking the year off anyway and preferred to have something every month. Your SMP won’t get spread out only OMP so the last 3 months are less. Also if you spread it then you still pay some pension in the last 3 months (only about £25) whereas if you go unpaid they will take it back when you return to work

Not a band 7 but spread my wages over 12 month used annual leave either side so all together I had 14 months off.
I’d definitely spread it over 12 months again if I’m lucky enough to have another x