{"id":11545,"date":"2026-09-24T07:11:01","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T07:11:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forbabyboss.com\/pensions-and-national-insurance-credits-on-maternity-leave-what-keeps-building-up-and-what-can-pause-uk\/"},"modified":"2026-09-24T07:11:01","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T07:11:01","slug":"pensions-and-national-insurance-credits-on-maternity-leave-what-keeps-building-up-and-what-can-pause-uk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forbabyboss.com\/hu\/pensions-and-national-insurance-credits-on-maternity-leave-what-keeps-building-up-and-what-can-pause-uk\/","title":{"rendered":"Pensions and National Insurance Credits on Maternity Leave: What Keeps Building Up and What Can Pause (UK)"},"content":{"rendered":"

A first baby prompts plenty of money planning, and it is easy to overlook the long-term items: the workplace pension and the State Pension record. The good news in GOV.UK’s guidance is that a period of maternity leave does not have to leave a gap in either. This guide explains what continues automatically, what may pause and where National Insurance credits fit. The workplace pension and leave rules described apply to employees in Great Britain, and National Insurance credits are a UK-wide system run by HMRC. It is general information, not financial advice.<\/p>\n

Workplace pension on paid maternity leave<\/h2>\n

GOV.UK’s guide to workplace pensions explains that during paid leave, both the employee and employer carry on making pension contributions. The employee’s contribution is based on the actual pay received during the leave, while the employer pays contributions based on the salary the employee would have received if they were not on leave. On maternity leave specifically, GOV.UK says the employee and employer will continue to make pension contributions if the employee is getting paid during maternity leave.<\/p>\n

That distinction can matter for the household budget. Statutory Maternity Pay is lower than a normal salary for much of the leave, so the employee’s own contribution is calculated on the lower figure, while the employer’s share is still calculated on the normal salary.<\/p>\n

What if the leave is unpaid<\/h2>\n

GOV.UK states that if an employee is not getting paid, the employer still has to make pension contributions in the first 26 weeks of leave, which is Ordinary Maternity Leave. The employer has to carry on making contributions afterwards if it is in the contract, so the employer’s maternity policy is worth checking. GOV.UK adds that during unpaid leave an employee may be able to make contributions if they want to, and suggests checking with the employer or the pension scheme provider.<\/p>\n

GOV.UK’s guide to employee rights on leave adds a general point: pension contributions usually stop if a period of leave is unpaid, unless the contract says otherwise, for example during unpaid periods of maternity leave. The two statements fit together, with the first 26 weeks of Ordinary Maternity Leave treated separately from any later unpaid period.<\/p>\n

National Insurance credits and the State Pension<\/h2>\n

GOV.UK explains that National Insurance credits fill gaps in a National Insurance record, to make sure a person qualifies for certain benefits including the State Pension. Class 1 credits count towards the State Pension and may help with some other benefits, while Class 3 credits count towards the State Pension only. GOV.UK’s eligibility page lists what applies around leave:<\/p>\n