Absent from work

If, you have been absent from work without pay, due to maternity leave, unpaid adoption leave, or unpaid shared parental leave that started from 01 April 2026 or later you will not need to buy back lost pension.  You will continue to build up pension as if you were receiving normal pay.

If you are absent from work without pay for any other reason, these absences will affect the build-up of your pension.  However, when you return to work your employer will always give you the option to buy back any lost pension – providing your absence was authorised.

Absences up to 14 days

For authorised unpaid absences of up to 14 days, you and your employer will continue to pay pension contributions, and you will build up pension for these short breaks. (A strike break does not automatically count for pension purposes regardless of its length).

Absences of 15 days or more

For authorised unpaid absences of 15 days or more, you won’t pay contributions. This means you won’t build up any pension during this time. You can choose to buy back some or all the lost pension through a Qualifying Additional Pension Arrangement (QAPA), where you pay the same as what you would have paid if you had been at work during that time. The contributions can be paid by lump sum or regular deductions from your pay. Your employer will let you know the cost and your payment options. You will have one year after returning to work to tell your employer you want to pay a QAPA. Any lost pension you buy back will count towards survivor pensions, and won’t be reduced if you retire on redundancy or efficiency grounds. No medical report is needed to pay a QAPA.

These absences will be treated in the following way:

Sickness – your pension will NOT be affected even if you enter a period of ‘no pay’

Maternity, adoption or paternity – your pension will NOT be affected even if you enter a period of ‘no pay’

Strike days – your pension will be affected, but you will be given the option to buy back lost pension, but you will pay ALL reinstatement costs

Jury Service – your pension will be affected, but you will be given the option to buy back lost pension

Reserve Forces duty – If you are on reserve forces service leave and you elect to remain in the LGPS, your pension will be worked out using your assumed pensionable pay.  Using your assumed pensionable pay ensures that you will continue to build up pension as if you were in work rather than on reserve forces service leave.  Your employer needs to tell you the amount of basic pension contributions you and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) must pay.