The National Health Service Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2008

Effect of member being absent or leaving and rejoining the scheme during the contribution option period

3.C.7—(1) This paragraph applies if during the contribution option period a member who has exercised the option under regulation 3.C.6–

(a) is absent from work because of illness or injury;

(b) is on maternity leave;

(c) is on adoption leave;

(d) is on paternity leave;

(e) is on parental leave; or

(f) is on a leave of absence of the kind mentioned in regulation 3.A.4(3).

(2) If paragraph (1) applies–

(a) the contributions under the option continue to be payable unless the member ceases paying contributions under regulation 3.C.1; and

(b) if the member does so cease, the member may continue to make contributions in accordance with the option if the member resumes making contributions under regulation 3.C.1 before the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which the member first ceased to pay those contributions.

(3) This paragraph applies if–

(a) a member exercises the option under regulation 3.C.6;

(b) the member ceases to be an active member during the contribution option period; and

(c) the member becomes an active member again before the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which the member ceased to be an active member.

(4) If paragraph (3) applies, the member may continue to make contributions in accordance with the option after becoming an active member again unless a repayment of contributions has been made to the member under regulation 3.C.16.

(5) For the purposes of paragraph (4) it does not matter whether the member has paid any of the repaid contributions back to the Scottish Ministers.