PART 3Scheme membership
CHAPTER 3Pensionable service
Absence from workC121
1
Paragraph (2) applies if a member (M) is absent from work because of—
a
illness or injury;
b
maternity leave;
c
adoption leave;
d
paternity leave; or
e
parental leave F1shared parental leave or parental bereavement leave.
2
The period of absence counts as pensionable service if M contributes to this scheme under regulation 30 or 31 in respect of the period of absence.
3
Paragraph (4) applies if M—
a
is on leave of absence;
b
is not within paragraph (1); and
c
contributes to this scheme at the same intervals as those made by M before the absence.
4
The maximum period of leave that can be counted as pensionable service is—
a
if M contributes for a continuous period of 6 months starting with the first day of M's leave of absence, 6 months;
b
if M contributes for a continuous period of less than 6 months starting with that day, the period in respect of which M pays the contributions.
5
Paragraph (6) applies if M—
a
has paid contributions for the period mentioned in paragraph (4)(a);
b
remains on leave of absence that is not within paragraph (1); and
c
at the same intervals as contributions made by M before the absence, contributes both member contributions under regulation 30 or 31 and employer contributions under regulation 32.
6
The maximum period of leave that can be counted as pensionable service is—
a
if M contributes for a continuous period of 18 months starting immediately after the end of the period mentioned in paragraph (4)(a), 18 months; and
b
if M contributes for a continuous period of less than 18 months starting immediately after the end of that period, the period in respect of which M pays the contributions.