Other types of leave
Unpaid leave rules
These rules apply to unpaid:
- neonatal care leave
- parental bereavement leave
- extra maternity leave (if it started before 1 April 2026)
- extra adoption leave (if it started before 1 April 2026)
- shared parental leave (if it started before 1 April 2026).
Authorised unpaid leave – less than 15 days
From 1 April 2026, if your employer lets you take unpaid leave for less than 15 days, your pension will keep building up. You and your employer will pay the same contributions as if you were working and getting your normal pay.
This also applies if you’re unpaid during jury service.
It may apply if you buy extra annual leave, but this depends on how the scheme works. Check with your employer to see how your pension will be affected.
Authorised unpaid leave – 15 days or more
From 1 April 2026, if your employer lets you take unpaid leave for 15 days or more, this time won’t count towards your pension. You can choose to pay extra contributions to make up the pension you ‘lost’.
If you choose to do this within one year of returning to work:
- You and your employer will share the cost.
- You can pay in a lump sum or in instalments.
Your employer will tell you how much it costs and how to pay.
From 1 April 2026, this type of payment is called a Qualifying Additional Pension Arrangement or QAPA.
Authorised unpaid leave – old rules (before 1 April 2026)
If your unpaid leave started before 1 April 2026, the old rules apply.
Your pension will not build up unless you pay Additional Pension Contributions (APCs).
- If you choose to pay within 30 days of returning, you and your employer share the cost.
- After 30 days, your employer may still choose to help but doesn’t have to.
You can use the Buy lost pension calculator to find out about this option. You’ll need the details of the pay you ‘lost’ from your employer. Once you’ve printed out the results of the calculator, please fill in the Buying back lost pension form and send a copy of both forms to your employer.
If you pay more than a year after returning to work, you must pay the full cost yourself.
Strike
If you’re off work due to a strike, this time won’t count towards your pension. You:
- can choose to pay APCs to make up the lost pension
- will usually pay the full cost unless your employer decides to help
- can use the Buy lost pension calculator to find out more. You’ll need the details of the pay you ‘lost’ from your employer.
Please contact your employer for more information about these other types of leave.
