If, for whatever reason, you have been absent from work without pay, 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.
Who pays for the cost of the lost pension?
- If you elect to reinstate your lost pension within 30 days of returning to work, the cost will be split between you and your Employer – one third by you and two thirds by your Employer (except for strike days)
- If you reinstate your lost pension after 30 days – you will pay the full cost on your own
If you have not been given the option to repay, please contact your Employer – find out the estimated cost to purchase lost pension.
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 during the first 39 weeks, even if you earn less than normal or have ‘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
The Local Government Pension Scheme
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