Child related leave includes maternity, paternity, adoption, and shared parental leave.
During paid leave, your LGPS benefits continue to build up as if you were working normally on full pay. You must continue to pay pension contributions on the actual pay you receive.
If you have a period of unpaid child related leave, it may impact your pension. It depends when the period of unpaid child related leave started:
Your LGPS benefits continue to build up as if you were working normally on full pay. You do not pay contributions.
Unpaid maternity or adoption leave during the 26 weeks ordinary leave period
The ordinary leave period is the first 26 weeks of the possible 52 weeks leave.
Your LGPS benefits continue to build up as if you were working normally on full pay.
Unpaid maternity or adoption leave during the 26 weeks additional leave period and any period of unpaid shared parental leave
The additional leave period is the second 26 weeks of the possible 52 weeks leave.
Any period of unpaid maternity or adoption leave beyond the 26 week ordinary maternity leave/ordinary adoption leave period and any period of unpaid shared parental leave will not count for pension purposes unless you have a right to return to work. In this case you can choose to pay Additional Pension Contributions (APCs) to buy the lost pension.
The cost of paying for lost pension is in accordance with guidance from the Government Actuary Department (GAD).
Your employer will contact you regarding your choice to pay APCs on your return to work.
Paying for lost pension
Your employer will write to ask you if you want to pay Additional Pension Contributions (APCs). They will let you know the relevant timescales.
If you decide to pay APCs within 30 days the cost is shared between you and your employer. You pay one third and your employer pays two thirds of the cost. You can decide to pay after 30 days but you will pay the full cost. There are deadlines restricting your decision and your employer will let you know this in their letter to you.
If you are paying additional contributions to increase your pension, such as Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs), find out about paying extra and absence from work
Not paying for lost pension
If you do not pay for lost pension for any period of unpaid maternity or adoption leave beyond the 26 week ordinary maternity leave/ordinary adoption leave period or for any period of unpaid shared parental leave, it will not count for pension purposes. The pension you built up in your account for that year will be lower.
If you paid into the scheme before 1 October 2006 you may have protections under the 85 year rule. If you have a period of unpaid membership, it may delay the date you meet the 85 year rule.
If you are in your final year of membership in the scheme before leaving and have membership before 1 April 2014, a lower final pay may impact your pension benefits. If you think this may affect you, please contact us.
Keep in Touch days
If you have Keep in Touch (KIT) day(s) or Shared Parental Leave in Touch (SPLIT) day(s) during a period of unpaid additional maternity, adoption or unpaid shared parental leave, you will build up a pension for the day(s) you are paid.
If shared parental leave is taken in separate blocks, the date that the continuous period of unpaid shared parental leave starts is used to assess which rules apply.
Neonatal care leave
Neonatal care leave is a new statutory entitlement from 6 April 2025. Find out about neonatal care leave and pay including how it impacts your pension
Keep in Touch days
If you have Keep in Touch (KIT) day(s) or Shared Parental Leave in Touch (SPLIT) day(s) during a period of unpaid maternity, adoption, or shared parental leave, you receive pay. You pay contributions.
Your pension build up is based on your Assumed Pensionable Pay (APP). However, if the pensionable pay paid for your day(s) is higher, your pension build up is based on that pay.
If the days were worked during a period of unpaid leave before 1 April 2026, the previous rules apply.
Paternity leave
Paternity leave is included in the definition of child-related leave. It is usually limited to 2 weeks.
If you are paid, you pay contributions. You continue to build up your pension as if you were working normally. If you are unpaid, the regulations apply depending when the period started.
Bereaved partner’s paternity leave is a type of paternity leave. Find out about bereaved partner's paternity leave