A qualifying leave of absence ends upon the earlier of: The end of the term of the leave approved by the member’s employer and determined by the Retirement Agency to be a qualifying leave of absence; The date the member returns to work with the member’s employer; or Separation from employment. Unless the member returns to work with the member’s employer or separates from employment, a request for a qualifying leave of absence may not be withdrawn or discontinued earlier than the end of the term of the leave approved by the member’s employer and determined by the Retirement Agency to be a qualifying leave of absence. An individual may not retire with a disability retirement allowance or a service retirement allowance prior to the earlier of: Separation from employment; or The expiration of a qualifying leave of absence.