Teachers pension

Hello

Thank you for your message – you’ve been directed through the Ask an Expert section of the Online Community and specifically to the Financial Guides. We’re here to help with personal finance questions and that includes ill health retirement. The service is free but please note that we only give guidance and cannot advise you how best to take your benefits. We can definitely help you with form completion.

Could we speak with you on the phone about this Linda? We don’t have a face to face service but would be happy to support you as much as possible by phone, email and post.

Alternatively, if you’re a Trade Union member, your union rep may be able to help you with the form so it may be worth approaching them. They could also accompany you to any meetings you may have with your employer about your ill health retirement.

Failing that, if you need advice on your options, you could speak to a suitably qualified Independent Financial Adviser (IFA). Any work undertaken by an IFA would be chargeable. Check with your family and friends if they know someone who can help with this or by visiting: www.findanadviser.org/find-an-adviser.aspx 

You could also try using the Money Helper ‘Find a Retirement Adviser’ tool, which allows you to search a directory of Regulated Pension Advisers. You can access this tool here: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/pensions-and-retirement/taking-your-pension/use-our-tool-to-find-a-retirement-adviser

When choosing a financial adviser, always check that they, and the company they work for, are authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).  

It’s possible to check individuals and companies on the FCA register here - https://register.fca.org.uk/s/ - or you can speak to them directly on 0800 111 6768 from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except public holidays), and 9am to 1pm Saturdays.  

If it is only the form you have concerns about completing, or an explanation of your options, we’d be happy to speak to you. The Financial Guides are available on 0808 808 0000, Option 1, then Option 2, finally Option 1. We’re here Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm.

Hope we get to speak to you soon.

Julia

Financial Guide

Remember you can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or by email.

The Financial Guidance Service will not advise you on the merits of buying, selling or cancelling or making a claim on a specific financial product from any company or otherwise provide you with any regulated services . As a guidance service, we do not provide financial advice or carry on other activities that are regulated and we are not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. No part of our service constitutes, nor is intended to constitute, a financial promotion within the meaning of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 nor an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity. 

The aim of the Financial Guidance Service is to provide you with information to help you make informed decisions about your personal finances. For financial advice, including recommendations to buy, sell, cancel or make a claim on specific financial products or to obtain any other type of financial services, you should speak to a financial adviser or company who is permitted to provide you with those services. You can find a local financial advice firm or other type of firm who provides regulated services on the Financial Conduct Authority's website - https://register.fca.org.uk/directory/s/.

The information that we provide you is for general guidance on your rights and responsibilities and is not legal advice. We are not liable to you for any information or services obtained by you from, or given to you by, a third party.

If you need more details on your rights, please contact a financial, legal or other appropriate adviser.