(1)  A contributor who is on parental leave may –

(a) elect to pay contributions –

(i) at the rate at which the contributor would have been required to contribute to the Fund if he or she had continued to receive his or her salary in respect of that period; and

(ii) if the contributor becomes entitled to an increase in salary while absent from duty on that leave, at a rate calculated with reference to his or her salary as so increased; or

(b) elect not to pay contributions while absent from duty on that leave.

(2)  An election under subregulation (1) is to be made in writing to the Commission within one month, or any extended time that the Commission allows, after the contributor commences parental leave.

(3)  If a contributor on parental leave elects to pay contributions, the Commission, on the application of the contributor, may permit him or her to defer contributions for any period not exceeding 2 years, subject to any conditions as to the future payment of contributions and interest that the Commission imposes.

(4)  If a contributor on parental leave fails to make an election under subregulation (1) , the contributor is taken to have made an election under paragraph (b) of that subregulation.