If you are absent from work because of strike action you can pay Additional Pension Contributions (APCs) to buy lost pension. The cost of paying for lost pension is in accordance with guidance from the Government Actuary Department (GAD).
You cannot elect to pay APCs until after the dispute has been resolved. Your employer will write to you to ask if you want to pay APCs and letting you know the relevant timescales.
Not paying for lost pension
If you do not pay for lost pension during a period of strike action it will not count for pension purposes. The pension you build 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 and you have membership before 1 April 2014, a lower final pay may affect your pension benefits.
If you are already paying additional contributions to increase your benefits, the absence may have an effect. Find out what happens if you pay extra and you are absent from work