Estimate what your paycheque may look like during maternity or parental leave. The calculator uses 2026 federal EI rates for provinces and territories outside Québec, then compares that leave income with your regular take-home pay.
Federal EI maternity benefits pay 55% of average insurable weekly earnings for up to 15 weeks, and parental benefits pay either 55% (standard) or 33% (extended), each subject to a weekly maximum. This page does not treat salary as proof of eligibility. Service Canada still reviews insurable hours and your claim.
Standard parental benefits pay more per week for a shorter period. Extended parental benefits pay less per week for longer. The financially better path depends on your expenses, top-up, and how long you want to be off work. This calculator does not pick a winner.
Some employers add a top-up so leave income reaches a share of regular salary, often for a set number of weeks. Plans differ. The default here is the common “top up to X%” interpretation. Enter your own percentage and duration, or leave top-up off.
Most Québec births and adoptions are paid through the Québec Parental Insurance Plan. This calculator does not apply federal EI rates to Québec or invent QPIP amounts. If you select Québec, you will see your regular take-home estimate and a link to the official RQAP service.
If you enter a partner’s income and monthly expenses, the page estimates household income before and during leave and the amount your household may need to cover from savings. That is a planning figure, not financial advice.
Federal EI maternity and standard parental benefits pay 55% of insurable weekly earnings, up to the published 2026 weekly maximum. Extended parental benefits pay 33%. Québec uses QPIP instead.
No. You still need enough insurable hours and a Service Canada claim. This page estimates amounts if you qualify.
The leave-income estimate is not produced for Québec. Regular take-home is still shown, with a link to RQAP.