Having a baby is a truly busy time, however it is worth taking a moment to find out how your SHPS pension will support you.
This page covers how your pension works if you take maternity leave, or family leave.
You may also be interested in what benefits are paid to a child if you die, or wish to update your nominees, for more information on death benefits access the death benefits page.
What if I take maternity leave?
For the first 26 weeks (or as the Committee determines):
- you will not pay contributions to the Scheme; and
- your pensionable service will continue and benefits will be based on the earnings you would be receiving if you were not on maternity leave.
For the period from 27 weeks to 39 weeks after your maternity leave commenced, provided that you are still being paid by your employer, you will:
- pay your normal rate of contributions but based on the pay you actually receive during maternity leave; and
- your membership will continue as normal, based on the salary you would be receiving if you were not on maternity leave (your employer pays the shortfall).
If you are on maternity leave without pay (including statutory maternity pay):
- your membership and any contributions will stop until you return to work. On your return you can pay the contributions missed over that period to give you continuous membership, or you will receive reduced benefits at retirement.
- This will usually apply between the 40th and 52nd weeks.
If you die while on maternity leave the full range of death benefits will be paid. This would be based on the rate of earnings you would have been receiving if you were not on maternity leave.
Where you have statutory entitlements, benefits under the Scheme will be provided for (currently) 39 weeks.
What if I take family leave?
In the rules, ‘family leave’ means leave that men or women are entitled to take by law – either paternity leave when a child is born or adopted, or parental leave to care for a child. If such leave is paid, the rules apply as for maternity leave. If
unpaid, the rules apply as for any other temporary absence.
If you die whilst on family leave the full range of death benefits will be paid. These would be based on the rate of earnings you would have been receiving if you were not on family leave.