Breaks vs paid leave
Maternity, adoption and shared parental leave have statutory and enhanced paid entitlements. A career break or sabbatical may be unpaid or partially paid depending on employer policy. Pension and continuous service rules differ between leave types. Use maternity calculators for paid family leave; career break calculators for unpaid periods and re-entry salary.
Re-entry pay
Some employers protect your spine point on return; others place you at the bottom of the band or on an agreed point. Lost earnings during an unpaid break are illustrative gross salary multiplied by break length. Tax, part-time work and other income are not modelled.
Pension and service
Whether a break affects pensionable service depends on your scheme and whether you remain on unpaid leave or take an official career break agreement. Speak to HR and your pension administrator before extended time away.