Savings Target Quick Reference
| Situation |
Suggested Savings |
| No employer top-up |
$15,000-$25,000 |
| Partial top-up (6-12 weeks) |
$10,000-$18,000 |
| Full top-up (17+ weeks) |
$5,000-$12,000 |
| Extended 18-month leave |
Add $10,000-$20,000 |
Understanding EI Benefits
2025 EI Maternity/Parental Rates
| Benefit Type |
Rate |
Maximum Weekly |
| Maternity (birth parent) |
55% |
$668 |
| Standard parental |
55% |
$668 |
| Extended parental |
33% |
$401 |
Leave Duration Options
| Option |
Duration |
Weekly Rate |
| Maternity only |
15 weeks |
55% (max $668) |
| Standard parental |
40 weeks (35 shareable) |
55% |
| Extended parental |
69 weeks (61 shareable) |
33% |
| Total (standard) |
55 weeks |
55% |
| Total (extended) |
84 weeks |
33% |
Calculate Your Income Gap
Step 1: Current Monthly Income
| Income |
Monthly Net |
| $50,000/year |
~$3,400 |
| $65,000/year |
~$4,200 |
| $80,000/year |
~$5,000 |
| $100,000/year |
~$6,100 |
| $120,000/year |
~$7,100 |
Step 2: EI Benefits
| Gross Salary |
EI Weekly (55%) |
Monthly EI |
Gap vs Net |
| $50,000 |
$528 |
$2,290 |
~$1,100 |
| $65,000 |
$668 (capped) |
$2,895 |
~$1,300 |
| $80,000 |
$668 (capped) |
$2,895 |
~$2,100 |
| $100,000 |
$668 (capped) |
$2,895 |
~$3,200 |
| $120,000 |
$668 (capped) |
$2,895 |
~$4,200 |
Step 3: Multiply by Months
| Income |
Monthly Gap |
12-Month Shortage |
| $50,000 |
$1,100 |
$13,200 |
| $65,000 |
$1,300 |
$15,600 |
| $80,000 |
$2,100 |
$25,200 |
| $100,000 |
$3,200 |
$38,400 |
| $120,000 |
$4,200 |
$50,400 |
Employer Top-Up Impact
Common Top-Up Structures
| Employer Type |
Top-Up |
Duration |
| Federal government |
93% |
17 weeks |
| Some large corps |
75-100% |
6-17 weeks |
| Many employers |
None |
N/A |
| Negotiated |
Varies |
Varies |
Savings With Top-Up Example
$80,000 salary, 17-week top-up to 93%
| Period |
Income |
Monthly Gap |
| Weeks 1-17 |
93% salary |
~$350 |
| Weeks 18-55 |
55% EI only |
~$2,100 |
| Period |
Duration |
Shortage |
| With top-up |
4 months |
~$1,400 |
| EI only |
9 months |
~$18,900 |
| Total |
13 months |
~$20,300 |
Extended Leave Costs
18-Month Leave (Extended Parental)
| Benefit Change |
Impact |
| Rate drops to 33% |
Much lower benefits |
| More weeks |
Longer without income |
| Income |
Monthly EI (33%) |
Gap vs Net |
| $50,000 |
$1,375 |
~$2,025 |
| $80,000 |
$1,740 |
~$3,260 |
| $100,000+ |
$1,740 |
~$4,360 |
18-Month Savings Needed
| Income |
18-Month Gap |
| $50,000 |
~$36,000 |
| $80,000 |
~$59,000 |
| $100,000 |
~$78,000 |
These numbers show why most higher earners choose 12-month leave.
Baby Expenses to Add
First Year Baby Costs
| Category |
Estimate |
| Nursery setup |
$1,500-$5,000 |
| Gear (stroller, car seat) |
$1,000-$3,000 |
| Diapers & supplies |
$1,200-$2,000 |
| Formula (if needed) |
$0-$3,000 |
| Clothing |
$600-$1,500 |
| First year total |
$4,000-$15,000 |
Add to Leave Savings
| Category |
Target |
| Income gap |
$15,000-$25,000 |
| Baby expenses |
$5,000-$10,000 |
| Emergency buffer |
$5,000 |
| Total savings |
$25,000-$40,000 |
Building Your Mat Leave Fund
Timeline to Save
| Months Before |
Monthly Savings Needed ($20K goal) |
| 24 months |
$833 |
| 18 months |
$1,111 |
| 12 months |
$1,667 |
| 9 months |
$2,222 |
Where to Save
| Account |
Best For |
| HISA |
Accessible, earning interest |
| TFSA HISA |
Tax-free interest |
| Joint account |
Shared planning |
Other Income Sources
Canada Child Benefit
| Income |
Monthly CCB (1 child <6) |
| Under $36,502 |
~$620 |
| $50,000 |
~$570 |
| $75,000 |
~$480 |
| $100,000 |
~$370 |
| $150,000 |
~$130 |
Provincial Benefits
| Province |
Program |
| Quebec |
QPIP (higher benefits) |
| BC |
BC Family Benefit |
| Alberta |
Alberta Child Benefit |
| Ontario |
Ontario Child Benefit |
Reducing Leave Expenses
Ways to Lower Costs
| Strategy |
Savings |
| Reduce discretionary spending |
$200-$500/month |
| Buy used baby items |
$1,000-$3,000 |
| Accept hand-me-downs |
Varies |
| Meal prep before leave |
$200-$400/month |
| Pause subscriptions |
$50-$150/month |
Budget on Leave
| Category |
Pre-Leave |
On Leave |
| Dining out |
$400 |
$100 |
| Entertainment |
$200 |
$50 |
| Shopping |
$300 |
$100 |
| Transportation |
$400 |
$200 |
| Monthly savings |
- |
$650 |
Savings Checklist
Before Leave
| Task |
Timeline |
| ☐ Calculate income gap |
12+ months before |
| ☐ Check employer top-up |
12+ months before |
| ☐ Start saving |
ASAP |
| ☐ Open HISA |
12+ months before |
| ☐ Build emergency fund |
6+ months before |
| ☐ Research baby costs |
6 months before |
| ☐ Apply for EI |
When leave starts |