Parental Career Sacrifice Calculator
Calculate what becoming a parent has cost your career - lost earnings, missed pension contributions, lost promotions, and the motherhood penalty.
Estimated financial impact
Over your career, from now to retirement
Direct lost earnings
£250,000
Salary gap × 5 years out
Lost pension
£51,574
5% match + growth to 67
Lost progression
£9,384
Missed 3.5% annual raises
Motherhood penalty
£128,000
4% per child, rest of career
This is structural, not personal.
The financial penalty for caregiving is systemic - caregiving is undervalued and unsupported. Countries like Germany, France, and Nordic regions offer 12-48 weeks of paid leave; the UK offers 39 weeks mostly unpaid; the US has no federal guarantee.
Your choice to care for your family is valid. The financial cost shouldn't be this high.
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