Parental Leave Calculator
Calculate your EI maternity and parental benefits in Canada.
2026 EI Benefit Amounts
| Benefit Type |
Rate |
Maximum Weekly |
Maximum Annual |
| Maternity (15 weeks) |
55% |
$695 |
$10,425 |
| Parental - Standard |
55% |
$695 |
$36,140 |
| Parental - Extended |
33% |
$417 |
$28,773 |
Maximum insurable earnings: $65,700
Leave Duration Options
Option 1: Standard Leave
| Component |
Weeks |
Rate |
Max Benefit |
| Maternity (birth mother) |
15 |
55% |
$10,425 |
| Parental (one parent max) |
35 |
55% |
$24,325 |
| Parental (shared bonus) |
+5 |
55% |
$3,475 |
| Total (shared) |
55 |
|
$38,225 |
Option 2: Extended Leave
| Component |
Weeks |
Rate |
Max Benefit |
| Maternity (birth mother) |
15 |
55% |
$10,425 |
| Parental (one parent max) |
61 |
33% |
$25,437 |
| Parental (shared bonus) |
+8 |
33% |
$3,336 |
| Total (shared) |
84 |
|
$39,198 |
Benefit Calculation by Income
At 55% (Standard)
| Annual Salary |
Weekly Earnings |
EI Weekly |
EI Monthly |
| $40,000 |
$769 |
$423 |
$1,833 |
| $50,000 |
$962 |
$529 |
$2,292 |
| $60,000 |
$1,154 |
$635 |
$2,750 |
| $70,000 |
$1,346 |
$695 (max) |
$3,011 |
| $80,000+ |
$1,538+ |
$695 (max) |
$3,011 |
At 33% (Extended)
| Annual Salary |
Weekly Earnings |
EI Weekly |
EI Monthly |
| $40,000 |
$769 |
$254 |
$1,100 |
| $50,000 |
$962 |
$317 |
$1,375 |
| $60,000 |
$1,154 |
$381 |
$1,650 |
| $70,000 |
$1,346 |
$417 (max) |
$1,806 |
| $80,000+ |
$1,538+ |
$417 (max) |
$1,806 |
Standard vs Extended Comparison
$65,000 salary example:
| Metric |
Standard |
Extended |
| Parental weeks |
40 |
69 |
| Weekly benefit |
$625 |
$375 |
| Total parental benefits |
$25,000 |
$25,875 |
| Time off |
40 weeks |
69 weeks |
| Monthly income |
$2,708 |
$1,625 |
| Best for |
Higher income |
Longer time home |
Extended pays slightly more total but spread over more weeks
Parental Sharing Bonus
If both parents take leave:
| Leave Type |
Standard Weeks |
Bonus |
Extended Weeks |
Bonus |
| Base parental |
35 |
β |
61 |
β |
| With sharing |
40 |
+5 |
69 |
+8 |
| Total potential |
40 |
|
69 |
|
Requirements: Second parent must take at least 5 weeks (standard) or 8 weeks (extended).
Employer Top-Up
Many employers offer top-ups:
| Top-Up Level |
EI (55%) |
Top-Up |
Total |
| None |
55% |
0% |
55% |
| Partial |
55% |
+20% |
75% |
| Full |
55% |
+38% |
93% |
| Premium |
55% |
+45% |
100% |
Top-Up Impact ($70K salary)
| Top-Up |
Weekly |
Monthly |
Maternity Total (15 wks) |
| EI only |
$695 |
$3,011 |
$10,425 |
| 75% top-up |
$1,010 |
$4,375 |
$15,150 |
| 93% top-up |
$1,253 |
$5,429 |
$18,795 |
| 100% |
$1,346 |
$5,833 |
$20,190 |
Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP)
Quebec has its own, more generous system:
| Benefit |
QPIP |
EI |
| Maternity |
70% (18 weeks) |
55% (15 weeks) |
| Paternity |
70% (5 weeks) |
Parental share |
| Parental |
70%/55% mixed |
55% or 33% |
| Maximum |
Higher |
$695/week |
Planning Your Leave
Scenario 1: Maximum Time Off
| Parent |
Leave Type |
Weeks |
Benefits |
| Birth parent |
Maternity |
15 |
$10,425 |
| Birth parent |
Parental (extended) |
61 |
$25,437 |
| Total |
|
76 weeks |
$35,862 |
Scenario 2: Shared Leave
| Parent |
Leave Type |
Weeks |
Benefits |
| Birth parent |
Maternity |
15 |
$10,425 |
| Birth parent |
Parental |
27 |
$18,765 |
| Other parent |
Parental |
13 |
$9,035 |
| Bonus |
Sharing |
5 |
$3,475 |
| Total |
|
60 weeks |
$41,700 |
Eligibility Requirements
| Requirement |
Details |
| Hours worked |
600 hours in past 52 weeks |
| Reduction of earnings |
40%+ reduction |
| ROE |
Record of Employment from employer |
| Application |
Apply within 4 weeks of last work |
EI Waiting Period
- 1-week waiting period before benefits start
- Only one waiting period per claim
- Can be served by either parent (for parental)
Tax on EI Benefits
| Aspect |
Treatment |
| EI benefits |
Taxable income |
| Tax withheld |
10% federal (adjust if needed) |
| Year-end |
May owe or get refund |
| Request more withholding |
Fill out form |
Related Pages