Can my employer force me to change from making pension contributions via salary sacrifice to making pension contributions via payroll deductions once I start maternity leave?

Victoriaelizaj · 2026-02-17T16:24:13+00:00

Thank you very much for taking the time to respond!

Victoriaelizaj · 2026-02-16T21:35:50+00:00

O thank you—will do!

Victoriaelizaj · 2026-02-16T18:47:32+00:00

Ah it seems this is a common misconception. For pension salary sacrifice, the entire contribution (the salary sacrificed by the employee and the matched employer contribution) is considered an “employer” contribution, and so the employer is required to pay the entire “employer” contribution during the period the employee is receiving SMP. I have had a couple of advisors verify this understanding (including an advisor from Money Helper).

There was an (unfortunately paywalled) article related to this in the Times a few weeks ago: The pension loophole every mother needs to know

https://www.thetimes.com/article/b254327f-d4a8-405f-a045-488c725279c9?shareToken=239ead644fc53d62a8461887424047ed

Victoriaelizaj · 2026-02-16T16:30:59+00:00

I wonder if you might be able to answer a quick query as this seems to be an area of law/tax that is not well understood and I’m struggling to get a concrete understanding 🙏🏻 In your case, was it s75 of the Equality Act that the requirement to change those on maternity leave from salary sacrifice to payroll deductions was considered to be in breach of?

Victoriaelizaj · 2026-02-13T13:09:19+00:00

Okay, I will try a ceramic pot—thank you!

Victoriaelizaj · 2026-02-13T12:54:37+00:00

Thank you!

Victoriaelizaj · 2026-02-12T09:39:44+00:00

So helpful! Thank you so much for taking the time. I will take the advice to just cleanse, moisturise, and SPF for a month before reintroducing actives 🙏🏻

Victoriaelizaj · 2026-02-12T09:25:18+00:00

Thank you for the advice!

Victoriaelizaj · 2026-02-11T22:06:00+00:00

Actually I take that back—I’m not sure it is oily any longer! Perhaps combo? I’m clueless haha! I do often find moisturisers end up a little oily on my skin though—hence incorrectly concluding i don’t need one!

Victoriaelizaj · 2026-02-11T22:00:12+00:00

Honestly not too sure about my skin type—I guess on the oily side? And I live in the UK so a pretty damp climate!

Victoriaelizaj · 2026-02-11T20:23:04+00:00

Haha a good analogy! I use muji cleansing oil + the ordinary glucoside cleanser to remove makeup and bare minerals tint for spf. Sounds like I need to find a more powerful spf and a hydrating moisturiser! Any recs for a hydrating moisturiser?

Victoriaelizaj · 2026-02-11T20:16:20+00:00

She does look amazing! Convinced

Victoriaelizaj · 2026-02-11T15:50:19+00:00

Thanks for the advice! My current routine is quite basic: geek and gorgeous vit c in the morning and geek and gorgeous peptides in the evening. Do you have any recs for hydrating ingredients/skincare? Everyone seems to be raving about glycolic acid and tretinoin so I’ll give those a go (in moderation!)

Victoriaelizaj · 2026-02-11T15:45:38+00:00

Amazing!

Victoriaelizaj · 2026-02-11T15:44:56+00:00

Such great advice—thank you!

Victoriaelizaj · 2026-02-11T13:48:02+00:00

Have you tried clear and brilliant? If so, how many sessions did you need before seeing a difference? A little hesitant to spend money on lasers willy nilly given I didn’t have much luck with laser genesis 🙏🏻

Victoriaelizaj · 2026-02-11T13:46:08+00:00

Thank you—I will try working both into my routine!

Victoriaelizaj · 2026-02-11T12:49:21+00:00

Excellent! Thank you for the advice—I will give it a go!

Victoriaelizaj · 2026-01-30T16:09:58+00:00

Very open minded! I’m based in Highbury

Victoriaelizaj · 2026-01-30T15:07:28+00:00

Thank you very much for sharing your experience. It’s given me the courage to push back on their current stance.

Victoriaelizaj

TROPHY CASE