Absent from Work
Your pensionable service may be affected by any periods of unpaid absence. In general, periods of absence can only count as pensionable service if pension contributions are paid in respect of the period of absence. Sick leave on full pay or reduced pay and paid maternity leave, maternity support leave and adoption leave count towards pensionable service if pension contributions are paid for those periods.
Unpaid leave, other than the first 26 weeks of maternity leave, can only count as pensionable service if you pay the pension contributions which would otherwise have been due. You are only able to do this for periods of unpaid maternity or parental leave, or a period of unpaid sick leave which is less than 6 months in duration. Note that you cannot pay pension contributions for a total of more than 12 months of unpaid sick leave aggregated across your police service.
If you wish to pay contributions for a period of unpaid leave, you must notify the Police Force within 6 months of your return to work, or by the date you leave the service if that is earlier. The contributions must be paid within 2 years of the date that the Police Force informs you of the amount to be paid.
Please Note
Pension contributions cannot be paid in respect of unpaid Career Breaks.