Pension contributions during sick pay

[Elle]

My husband is going onto long term sick pay in July (half pay) can anyone explain how this will affect his pension contributions, he has already lost his pensionable driving allowance. After 35yrs service and an illness caused by RM (grievence procedures ongoing) I feel totally lost and scared, the area union rep is very supportive and I could phone HR but I work full time with 30mins lunch so I never have time. Any advice I would be very grateful.

[RobertT]

Pension contributions are paid as a percentage of his wage, so if his earnings go down so will his weekly/monthly pension payments and quite possibly his actual pension when he draws it aswell.

[vanman]

Pension contributions are paid as a percentage of his wage, so if his earnings go down so will his weekly/monthly pension payments and quite possibly his actual pension when he draws it aswell.

It is true to say that as his earnings go down so will his contributions, but this does not necessarily mean it will mean a smaller pension.

The pension prior to 2008 is based on the number of years service set against final pensionble pay (or the best pensionable over a number of years), so his lower contributions will not affect this.

Pension since 2008 is based on blocks earned each year (and uprated by inflation), so if his earnings reduce he will have a smaller pension block for this year, but not others.

The exact detail depends on which part of the scheme he is in, section B (POSSS) or section C (POPS).

To get a proper answer email the Pension Service Centre in Chesterfield at:

pensions.helpline@royalmail.com

[RobertT]

Exactly Vanman, which is why I said 'possibly'.

[Elle]

Thanks for taking time to reply I will email pensions at Chesterfield.