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TPT Retirement Solutions
FAQs

What if I go on maternity/paternity leave?

CATEGORIES:

  • Members
  • General

You may need to take time away from work for various reasons, including maternity leave, paternity leave, adoption leave, parental leave or sickness. The sections below explain what will happen in terms of making pension contributions during this time

Family Leave (Maternity Leave/Adoption Leave/Paternity Leave/Additional Paternity Leave)

If you take adoption leave, paternity leave or additional paternity leave, you will be treated in the same way as a woman taking maternity leave.

For the first 39 weeks of maternity leave:

  • You will pay your normal rate of contributions, but only on the pay you actually receive during maternity leave, this includes Statutory Maternity Pay.
  • Your employer will be expected to pay their normal contributions based on the pay you would have been receiving if you were not on maternity leave, plus any shortfall in your contribution.
  • Your membership will continue as normal, based on the salary you would be receiving if you were not on maternity leave.
  • If you return to work before the end of this period, contributions must start up again immediately.
  • If you are receiving maternity allowance, your employer is still liable to pay pension contributions even though you are receiving pay direct from the State and not from your employer. Your employer will pay both member and employer contributions for the first 39 weeks based on the pay you would have been receiving had you not gone on maternity leave.

After the first 39 weeks

  • We would not expect any contributions unless you are receiving pay. You will have a break in your service for any period where no contributions are paid.
  • On your return you can choose whether to make extra contributions to cover the period that you have been away. Your employer has discretion whether to pay their share. If they decline to pay, you may, if you wish, pay the employer’s share. If you choose not to pay the contributions you will receive reduced benefits at retirement.
  • If you die whilst on maternity leave, the full range of death benefits that would be payable if you were not on maternity leave would be paid. This would be based on the rate of earnings you would have been receiving if you were not on maternity leave.

Other absence

If you have any other absence, for example, sick leave, parental leave or a temporary absence and you continue to receive pay during the absence, you and your employer will continue to pay contributions based on the actual salary paid, or on the pay received prior to the absence, as agreed between you and your employer. If you are absent without pay, neither you or your employer will pay contributions for the period of unpaid leave.  

When you return to work, you will have the option to pay the contributions missed or any shortfall in contributions. If you opt to do so, your employer has discretion whether to pay their share. If they decline to pay, you may if you wish, pay the employer’s share. If you choose not to pay the missed contributions, your benefits will be adjusted accordingly.

If you are not making any payments to the scheme there is a maximum period of absence that applies before you will automatically become a leaver. This period of time will be dependent on the scheme that you are contributing to.