Adoption leave

When on paid adoption leave  

You'll continue to build up your pension during paid adoption leave.  

Employer contributions from the council will be based on your earnings before you went on leave. Your contributions will be based on your earnings during your leave, which may be lower than your usual payments. 

When on unpaid adoption leave 

All pension contributions stop from you and the council during any period of unpaid adoption leave.   

Paying towards lost pension contributions 

If you’re on the local government pension scheme (LGPS), you can choose to pay towards lost pension contributions due to your leave.   

Under this scheme, you’ll pay for one-third of your lost pension contributions and the council pays the rest.

When you return to work, the Essex Pension Fund will write to you asking if you want to pay towards lost pension contributions. You must confirm if you want to go ahead within 30 days of returning to work, otherwise you'll have to pay the full amount.   

You can find out more about how to pay your lost pension contributions in the returning to work information.