Temporary absence
Maternity and family leave
Your membership of the Scheme will continue while you're on shared parental leave.
Career break
While you're on a career break you'll stop being an active member of the Scheme, so your life cover will cease. You can't join another pension scheme or transfer your benefits to a new arrangement during this time. After you return to work, your membership will restart and your two periods of pensionable service will be joined together when calculating your benefits.
The Career Break Policy on Interchange has more information.
Illness
If you're ill and have to take time off work, you'll remain an active member of the Scheme and continue to build up pensionable service. However, different provisions may apply if you're absent for a long period.