If you take authorised leave or a career break, you can choose to remain pensionable for up to 6 months.
If the authorised leave is pensionable, you must make arrangements with your employer to pay contributions continuously during the break.
Your employer will continue to pay employer contributions to the NHS Pension Scheme.
If you do not stop paying pension contributions in the first 6 months, you can choose to pay contributions for a further 18 months. If you wish to continue contributing during the 18 month period, you’re responsible for the employee and employer pension contributions.
Contributions must be paid on time regularly throughout the period of leave. You must make arrangements with your employer to pay these contributions.
Arrears cannot be accumulated.
If you choose not to pay pension contributions, your pension record will be closed the day before the leave starts or the date your contributions stop, if later.
Pensionable authorised leave does not apply to locum practitioners.
Read more information on paying pension contributions during a period of authorised leave or a career break on our website.
Special Class and Mental Health Officer (MHO) status
If you choose not to pay pension contributions during the period of authorised leave or career break, the normal rules of membership of the scheme and entitlement to MHO or SC status will apply.
You must return to pensionable NHS employment within 5 years to be eligible for MHO or SC status on your return.
If you continue to contribute to the NHS Pension Scheme during the authorised leave or career break, MHO or SC status will remain for the pensionable period. It’s expected that you would return to an MHO or SC job on your return.
If your career break is for longer than 2 years, the normal rules of entitlement to MHO or SC status will apply on your return to NHS pensionable employment.
Death in membership
During authorised leave or a career break, you’ll be entitled to death in membership benefits up to 2 years if you continue to contribute to the scheme.
Read more information on life assurance and family benefits on our website.