(1)  Except as provided in regulation 25 or in this regulation, a contributor on long leave of absence without pay other than sick leave is not permitted to contribute to the contributory scheme.

(2)  A contributor who is on long leave of absence without pay may, while still an employee, purchase recognition of service for the period of that leave under regulation 17 .

(3)  A contributor who is on parental leave and, under regulation 25(1)(b) or regulation 25(4) , elects not to pay contributions while on that leave may, while still an employee, purchase recognition of service for the period of that leave under regulation 17 .

(4)  If a contributor does not purchase recognition of service under subregulation (2) or (3) , the period during which he or she was on long leave of absence without pay or parental leave –

(a) is not counted as part of the contributor’s service for the purpose of these regulations; and

(b) does not affect the contributor’s continuity of service.