A "vesting break in service" is a Plan Year during which you have not completed more than 500 hours of service. Solely for determining whether a vesting break in service has occurred, if you are absent from work for maternity or paternity reasons you will receive credit for hours of service (but not more than 501) that would have been credited except for the absence. An absence from work for maternity or paternity reasons means an absence caused by pregnancy or childbirth, placement or adoption of a child, or child care immediately following birth or adoption.

If you have performed at least 500 hours of service in the Plan Year in which your absence for maternity or paternity reasons begins, then solely for purposes of preventing a break in service for the Plan Year subsequent to the Plan Year in which such leave begins, you will receive service credit of up to 500 hours for your absence during that Plan Year.

For example, if you take maternity leave in October and have more than 500 hours of service, there is no break in service that year. In addition, in order to avoid a break in service the following year, you will be credited with up to 500 hours of service.