What happens to your Teachers pension when you take a career break

If you're on authorised leave for a career break, you do not have the option to continue as an active member of the scheme. Once you stop making contributions your benefits will be preserved. When you return to work you can then re-join the scheme.

The impact of industrial action on your Teachers pension scheme contributions

As any period of absence from your work place due to industrial action is regarded as ‘non-pensionable’, no scheme contributions are deducted for any period of time you spend on strike. As a consequence, any earnings lost through industrial action are not included in your benefit calculations.

There’s also no provision to pay back contributions directly relating to strike days, but, there are other options to increase your benefits that you may want to consider following a prolonged period of industrial action.