Career break and pension

[rambo1]

Thinking of leaving the business in which case my death in service benefit (or my mrs's) would stop. Question, if I went for a career break of a yr presuming I could get it, would that death benefit still be in force until I actually left the business? Anyone had experience of this? Cheers.

[NorthernBoy]

My opinion is that you would still retain death in service benefits as you are still employed by the company, even if on a career break.

Suggest you contact HR for the exact rules though.

[rambo1]

Cheers. I think I will enquire.

[freespeech]

My opinion is that you would still retain death in service benefits as you are still employed by the company, even if on a career break.

Suggest you contact HR for the exact rules though.

Legally on unpaid sabbaticals it is usual that the contract of employment DOESN'T remain in force.

[RobertT]

A quick Google suggests there are no laws specifically about career breaks – it's an arrangement between the company and their employees.

Everyone has the right to request a career break, but the employer doesn't have to say yes.

Some companies seem to provide continued employment during such a period, while others don't.

But I know of a postie who took a career break and received a payslip every week despite not actually getting paid, so that suggests to me he was technically still employed.

Anyone who is in a RM pension scheme should be entitled to 4x pay as a death in service payment. But those who've opted out completely are still entitled to 2x payment, which I'm guessing might also be the case while on a sabbatical?

It's best to clarify with HR what RM's policy is.

[Dorset Plodder]

Don't forget Rambo you can get £5'000 FREE Life Cover through the CWU. You just need to register online and it's only a basic form, not too indepth at all.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Thinking of leaving the business in which case my death in service benefit (or my mrs's) would stop. Question, if I went for a career break of a yr presuming I could get it, would that death benefit still be in force until I actually left the business? Anyone had experience of this? Cheers.

Yes as far as I can tell

https://www.royalmailpensionplan.co.uk/ ... er-you-die

[rambo1]

Thanks for all the replies people.