Paternity leave: identify the leave and pension arrangements

Confirm the actual leave type

GOV.UK treats paternity leave, paternity pay, shared parental leave and unpaid parental leave as distinct arrangements, and explains that eligibility for leave and pay can differ. Confirm what has been agreed rather than applying a maternity timetable to every parent.

Sources: GOV.UK: Paternity pay and leave overview

Ask how pension payments are handled

MoneyHelper explains the usual different bases for employee and employer pension contributions during paid family leave. Ask payroll to identify the paid periods, your contribution method and the applicable employer or scheme terms. Unpaid periods need their own answer rather than an assumption copied from another leave type.

Sources: MoneyHelper: Workplace pensions during maternity or paternity leave

Keep the request small and specific

Prepare a private note showing the agreed leave dates, relevant pay periods and the pension question. For example: “Which calculation basis was used for this employer contribution?” gives payroll a particular record to check.

A payslip can show a deduction without establishing when the scheme received it. Keep the payroll explanation and scheme receipt dates side by side if there is a query.

• Leave type and agreed dates, not just “parental leave”.
• Which periods are paid and the contribution method used.
• The question for payroll and any separate question for the scheme.
• The dated reply and any confirmed correction.

Return to the right route for unresolved questions

MoneyHelper’s contribution-check guide describes gathering records, asking for investigation and appropriate dispute-help routes. It does not turn every change in a deduction into proof of an error. Use the linked contribution guide to organise your evidence.

Sources: MoneyHelper: Check contributions after family leave

Keep private family records outside the organiser

This guide does not decide paternity-pay eligibility, employment rights, benefit entitlement or a contribution amount. Use current GOV.UK guidance for the actual leave/pay route and appropriate help for an individual dispute.

The browser Passport is for short organising notes. It has no family-leave application, shared family access or payroll messaging feature. Keep real letters, child details and personal identifiers in your private filing.

Keep learning

• Maternity leave: check the pension payment record →
• How to check a workplace pension contribution query →
• A career break: clarify leave, payments and return plans →
• Pension document checklist →

Browse all workplace pensions guides →