When on parental leave (maternity leave, paternity leave or adoption leave), your employer should continue to pay contributions based on your pensionable earnings before you started the parental leave as long as you remain in the scheme.
Your contributions will be based on your actual earnings during the parental leave – for example Statutory Maternity Pay.
If you decide to take a period of unpaid leave after your paid parental leave, you don’t need to continue contributing during the period of unpaid leave. Your employer may also cease contributing, unless your contract of employment states otherwise.
When you return to work, consider paying additional contributions to cover gaps in your contributions.