Absences

New Police Pension Scheme 2006 (NPPS 2006)

Your pensionable service may be affected by unpaid absences. An absence will normally only count towards your pension if you pay contributions in respect of it.

Sickness

Sick leave on full or reduced pay will count towards your pension if you pay contributions. Unpaid sick leave will only count towards your pension if you pay contributions for it.

  • You can opt to pay contributions in respect of unpaid sick leave that lasted up to six months
  • You cannot pay contributions in respect of more than 12 months' sickness absence across your whole police service
  • If you wish to pay contributions to cover unpaid sick leave, you must notify your authority within six months of returning to work, or before you leave if sooner
Maternity leave
  • Paid maternity leave will count towards your pension if you pay contributions
  • Unpaid leave (unless within the first 26 weeks) will only count towards your pension if you pay the contributions that would otherwise have been due
  • You can pay contributions for an absence of up to six months – see below
Maternity support leave
  • Paid maternity support leave will count towards your pension if you pay contributions
  • Unpaid leave will only count towards your pension if you pay the contributions that would otherwise have been due
  • You can pay contributions for an absence of up to six months – see below
Adoption leave
  • Paid adoption leave will count towards your pension if you pay contributions
  • Unpaid leave will only count towards your pension if you pay the contributions that would otherwise have been due
  • You can pay contributions for an absence of up to six months - see below
Contributions to cover some types of absence
  • You can pay up to six months’ contributions to cover unpaid periods during the types of absences shown above
  • To do so, please notify your authority within six months of returning to work, or before you leave if sooner
  • The contributions must be paid within two years of your police authority informing you of the amount to be paid
Career breaks

You cannot pay contributions to cover a career break.