Pension contributions - Volunteers overseas won't lose out

Academics who want to volunteer overseas will not miss out on their pension contributions, Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, has announced. The Government has earmarked £13 million to fund contributions for public-sector workers while they are abroad. The fund will buy added pension benefits (or equivalent) for any academic who returns to a university or other public-sector job after a volunteer assignment abroad starting between April 2008 and March 2011 and lasting seven to 24 months.