Temporary Absence
Most absences are for a relatively short time, so it will not affect your membership of the Scheme. However, if you have a period of unpaid absence away from work, then neither you nor the Company will pay any contributions to your pension for that time.
If you are absent from work and your pay continues in full or at a reduced rate, you will continue to pay contributions to the Scheme and continue to accrue benefits for the first two years of your absence.
If your pay does not continue, you will not be required to pay contributions and you will not accrue any benefits unless you make up the missing contributions when you return to work.
If your absence is due to ill health and you die within the first two years of your absence from work and you are still employed by the Company, the lump sum death benefit will be paid to beneficiaries as the Trustee decides. You can complete a Nomination Form to give an indication of your wishes. To download a form, please click here.
Your membership of the Scheme is discontinued and eligibility for the death in service lump sum ceases if your absence from work is longer than two years and is not due to ill health.
What happens if I am on maternity, paternity or adoption leave?
If you are on maternity, paternity or adoption leave you build up pensionable service as if you had been working normally but contributions are deducted from your actual earnings.
Please note that if you are on unpaid maternity, paternity or adoption leave and do not pay back any missing contributions when you return to work, then a break will be added to your Pensionable Service for the period you have not paid contributions and you will not accrue any benefits for that period.