Sick leave

Sick leave is pensionable, provided the member is receiving at least half of their salary in respect of that employment. While the member remains in pensionable employment, continue to use the usual contribution rate, but only apply it to the actual pensionable earnings received during the period. Please report the service and salary as if they were receiving their usual full salary, as they will continue to accrue pension as if they were on full pay.

If the member is receiving less than half of their salary, the service is no longer pensionable and contributions must not be deducted. Please report any period where the member receives less than half salary as days excluded on service and salary returns.

It is the responsibility of employers and occupational health advisors to explore ways of helping a member return to work, either through redeployment, part-time working or other workplace adjustments. If a member reduces their responsibilities or working pattern and this is unsuccessful in managing their health problems, they can still apply for ill-health benefits. If approved, any enhancement to ill-health benefits will be calculated using salaries before the change in responsibilities or working pattern, provided the illness that led to the application is the same illness that resulted in the change. A ‘stepping-down’ form is available (PDF, 252 KB) on the website to allow employers and members to notify Teachers’ Pensions that a reduction in responsibilities or working pattern has occurred in order to help manage health problems.