Quick reference

All items: Pay, benefits and allowances

  • State pension rates

    Updated to reflect the state pension rates for 2026/2027. Employers may use these updated figures to support employees in planning for retirement. Additionally, there may be cases where employees choose to work beyond state pension age. In such situations, if an employee is receiving a state pension, it could affect payroll processes, particularly regarding national insurance contributions. 

  • Statutory paternity pay

    Updated to reflect the statutory paternity pay rate in force from 5 April 2026. Employers should review payroll and check eligible employees are paid correctly. 

  • Maternity allowance

    Updated to reflect the maternity allowance rate in force from 5 April 2026.

  • Statutory parental bereavement pay

    Updated to include the statutory parental bereavement pay rates in force from 5 April 2026. Employers should review payroll, update relevant policies and check eligible employees are paid correctly.

  • Statutory shared parental pay

    Updated to reflect the statutory shared parental pay rate in force from 5 April 2026. Employers should update payroll systems, relevant policies and check eligible employees are paid correctly.

  • Statutory adoption pay

    Updated to reflect the statutory adoption pay rate in force from 5 April 2026. Employers should review payroll and check eligible employees are paid correctly.

  • Statutory maternity pay (SMP)

    Updated to reflect the statutory maternity pay rate in force from 5 April 2026. Employers should review payroll and check eligible employees are paid correctly.

  • Statutory sick pay (SSP)

    Updated to reflect the statutory sick pay rate in force from 6 April 2026.

  • National insurance lower earnings limit

    Updated to include the rate of the lower earnings limit for 2026/27. Employers will need to review payroll systems and ensure statutory pay is applied correctly.

  • National minimum wage

    Updated with the national minimum wage rates in force from 1 April 2026, so employers can review pay and update payroll systems.

About this category

Key facts for HR on pay, benefits and allowances.