For the absentee option it says you continue to progress on the waitlist.I went with maintaining full pricing for myself and my wife. Basically banking on the idea of getting a bit ahead in the queue towards gold. I know it sucks for those that can't afford it or can't get the value from it. I just need to convince myself I am paying for a queue jump, rather than the value of the membership itself.
Doesn't specifically mention it for the 'pause' option but I assume it would be the same.