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How much should I save for parental leave?

Estimate your income during leave and how much you may need to save to cover household expenses.

Canadian planning estimate · No account required

Your details

The start date can change whether EI has an unpaid waiting week.

The estimate updates as you type.

Gap to plan for

You may be short about $1,714 per month.

Estimated savings needed before leave: $19,774.

Key numbers

Take-home before leave$4,744
Estimated leave income$2,786
Household cash during leave$2,786
Monthly gap$1,714
Savings needed$19,774
Benefit programEI

Not included yet: debt payments, an employer top-up.

Assumptions to check (3)
  • This models one parent taking consecutive weeks, assuming eligibility and steady insurable earnings. Benefit sharing, other earnings, income-tested supplements, and payment processing delays can change the actual amounts.
  • The EI waiting week is waived for claims beginning March 30, 2025 through October 10, 2026. Enter the leave start date to apply that rule; without a date, this estimate reserves a waiting week unless you mark it already served.
  • Net amounts assume about 10% tax withheld from benefits and top-up. More tax can be owed at filing time.
What this means for you

This compares expected leave income with the monthly cost of keeping the household running.

Benefit payments, tax deductions, and baby expenses can vary from month to month. The savings target is an estimate to help cover those differences.

The average monthly gap is about $1,714, and the full leave buffer is about $19,774 after savings already set aside.

Aim to have about $19,774 set aside before leave starts, or lower monthly costs until the gap fits your savings plan.

The inputs that move this answer most: Leave length · Monthly bills · Partner take-home · Employer top-up.

See how Fred can help with the next step

Estimates only, not financial advice. Rates checked September 2026.

Fred, your personal financial copilot.

More attention for your growing family.

You want time with your baby without money filling every spare moment. Fred researches leave benefits, runs the numbers for your household and helps you plan for the time you want at home.

Fred, your financial copilot, ready to talk through your plans
You could ask Fred

How can we prepare for a year at home with our baby?

He can create a savings goal and adjust your household budget with your approval. You can revisit the plan together as your family’s needs change.

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Fred researches your options, runs the numbers and explains how the steps fit together. You can review his sources, question an assumption or ask him to compare another option.

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Common questions

Does this calculate exact EI or QPIP?
No. It is a steady-salary estimate. EI and QPIP can depend on qualifying weeks, records of employment, variable income, and how much tax is taken off each payment.
Why does Quebec look different?
Quebec uses QPIP instead of federal EI maternity and parental benefits. The calculator uses QPIP payment rates and benefit periods when you select Quebec.
Should I use salary before tax or take-home pay?
Use the salary before tax of the parent taking leave. For a partner, use monthly take-home pay, which is the amount available for household expenses.
Do employer top-ups count?
Yes. Add employer top-up details in optional details. The estimate treats top-up as extra leave income and keeps the result focused on the household gap.
Why is there a savings-needed number?
Leave income can be lower than normal income. The savings number estimates the buffer needed so bills, debt, and basic monthly costs still get covered.
Why keep a buffer if the estimate says we are covered?
Benefit payments, tax deductions, employer top-ups, and baby expenses can differ from this monthly estimate. Extra savings can help cover those differences.
Is tax taken off EI and QPIP payments?
Yes. Benefits are taxable income. This estimate assumes about 10% withheld from benefits and any top-up, which matches a common withholding level, but more tax can be owed at filing time depending on total income.
Does this include the Canada Child Benefit?
No. CCB and other child benefits are not modeled, so real household income after the baby arrives can be somewhat higher than this estimate. Treat that as extra cushion, not as part of the plan.
How is an employer top-up handled during the waiting week?
The estimate assumes the top-up still applies during the unpaid waiting week, which matches many supplemental plans. If your plan works differently, the real first week can be lower than shown.

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