Leaves of Absence

Whether you continue to accrue pensionable service and pay contributions during a leave depends on the specific type of leave you're taking.

A leave of absence is a period when you temporarily stop your regular work duties with your employer’s approval, and you were an active member immediately before the leave began.

During a leave of absence, you do not accrue pensionable service, and both you and your employer do not make pension contributions.

If you wish to increase your pensionable service, you may have the option to apply to purchase the service associated with the leave once you return as an active member. The following are examples of purchasable leaves of absence:

• Parental leave
• Adoption leave
• Sabbatical leave
• Educational leave

You are not required to return to work for the same participating employer after your leave ends to apply to make this purchase. Please visit the Purchasing Service page for more information.

Situations Not Considered a Leave of Absence

• Periods when you are in receipt of short‑term disability benefits or the health‑related portion of a maternity leave.
  During these periods, you continue to accrue pensionable service, and both you and your employer continue to make pension contributions.
• Periods when you are eligible to receive long‑term (extended) disability benefits through your employer’s benefits provider.
  When you are approved by your employer’s insurance provider for long‑term (extended) disability benefits, you may continue to accrue pensionable service in the Teachers’ Pension Plans, and your contributions will be waived. Please visit the Disability page for more information about accruing pensionable service while disabled.

Strike or Lockout

During these periods, you do not earn pensionable service, and both you and your employer do not make pension contributions. Please visit the Strikes and Lockouts page for more information about how a work stoppage affects your pension.