The Health and Social Care (Pension Scheme) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008

Effect of member being absent or leaving and rejoining [F1this Section of] the Scheme during the contribution option periodN.I.

35.—(1) This paragraph applies if during the contribution option period a member who has exercised the option under regulation 34 is absent from work because of—

(a)illness or injury,

(b)maternity leave,

(c)adoption leave,

(d)paternity leave,

(e)parental leave, [F2shared parental leave,] F3...

(f)a leave of absence of the kind mentioned in regulation 9(3)[F4, or]

[F5(g)parental bereavement leave.]

(2) If paragraph (1) applies—

(a)the contributions under the option continue to be payable unless the member ceases paying contributions under regulation 27, and

(b)where 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 27 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 34,

(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 44.

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

Textual Amendments

F2Words in reg. 35(1)(e) inserted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(3) of the amending Rule) by The Health and Social Care Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 (S.R. 2023/33), regs. 1(2), 9

Modifications etc. (not altering text)