Ill health retirement

Hi Bubblemum, I took a yr off to look after my husband who had terminal lung cancer. I was in talks about returning to my job as a Critical Care Matron when I was diagnosed with breast cancer 2mths after Phil died. It soon became clear that I could not go back after the effects of chemo and AI drugs which I need for 10yrs. After discussions with HR and with back up from my union, it was agreed that I take early ill health retirement. That was 2yrs ago and i’m 54 this yr. It has been the right decision as I suffer with fatigue/brain fog etc which can be debilitating as well as a ream of other side effects. There is no way I would have the physical or mental energy for 30hrs/week and then be able to function at home. 

Hi Pmess

Many thanks for taking the trouble to reply to my post. I am sorry to hear about what you went through with your husband and own diagnosis just a very short time after. Like you I will be on treatment for years and am worried about the physical and mental aspects of work whilst dealing with chemo and SE from the drugs. I get so tired on both fronts and really don’t feel that I have the energy for working30 hours a week. I wonder how they assess if this will be a permanent condition though. I have read up on the different tiers and having spent so much time raising three children there is not a great amount in each of my two pension pots ( 10 yrs in teachers and currently 6 yrs LGPS) Thankfully I am in a position where I have a husband who works and will get a decent pension, albeit in 9 years time. I hadn’t thought about contacting my union as work have been very understanding to date - I’m just a bit worried about this meeting in Sep.

R

Do you work public sector?  If LA there are 3 levels of ill health retirement.  See picture.  You need Tier 1.  You may need help from union to secure it.  I know a woman I worked with who was 58 and had inoperable brain aneurysm had to be dismissed for being sick so it would trigger independent medical opinion to access her pension.  Pension fund medic would not give report to award or saying she'd be better after surgery.  According to union only way to get independent report.  

Hi Carol - yes I am in the public sector these days and I am with unison. I would argue that I am permanently incapable of working in my present post as there is a risk of infection related to it. With my teachers pension I would only qualify for tier three as a deferred member. The crux comes if it could be argued that I could become able to work in any capacity until I reach normal pension age of 67. 30 hours a week does seem a lot however, when you have had and are continuing to undergo cancer treatment. 
There does not appear to be many posts in this forum relating to this subject, so I hope that in raising this, it may help others in similar positions. Many thanks.

R

Hi bubblemum 

I'm currently supporting my partner through a torturous appeal process re her lgps pension. Not for BC but severe fibromyalgia which has left her severely incacipated and her consultant has been clear she will be unable to work again at 56. Ill health retirement was agreed but at tier 3 which is temporary for up to 3 years so we are going through all stages of the appeal process to secure a permanent award in line with her prognosis. What the OH advisor does is look at the diagnosis and then compare what other people with that diagnosis can do re employment. Ours is outsourced which doesn't help in my view

What I would advise is get as much medical supporting info as you can and don't be afraid to appeal if you don't agree with the outcome. Unfortunately our local union were not much help so we're going it alone 

Best wishes and I hope you get a positive outcome xx

Not a fan of unison from experience.  GMB or Unite better .  If a teacher try teaching union.  We had to fight for husband police ill health pension and it's was a battje.  I took VR/ER as at 55 I could access my pension if made redundant so I volunteered gif redundancy which h meant a younger person at risk of redundancy could have my job.  

Hi Bubblegum, I have my husband’s teachers pension, but only got tier 2 for myself due to me not returning from my yr unpaid before going off with my illness. The OH Dr gave an indepth report on me as being ok when he had never met or spoken to me. I was bever offered pension support from the Trust I worked for despite there being that service to staff. I never minded staff bringing in union reps whenever I needed to meet with staff officially as subs are paid for a reason. The RCN were very helpful to me in helping me navigate the pension process. Just to have someone help you through takes a weight off.

Hi Bubblemum, great responses already from the lovely folk here. I took ill health retirement after trying to go back to special needs teaching after my ‘active’ treatment (still on Anastrozole long term), had long phased return but just couldn’t manage even alternate days. It was a long and painful process, even with full support from my school. Definitely worth getting union support, I was in the NEU (still am, as a retired member) and they were so helpful. I had an officer assigned to me who I could contact by phone or email. I also took a friend (who was also a work colleague) with me to my meeting with school HR (which they suggested, again I was lucky that they were so supportive, can’t fault them really). My experience of the local authority OH service was actually very positive (was referred there by school) but I can obviously only speak from my experience. 
Good luck with it all, sorry you’re having to contend with this as well as all your treatment. Definitely get all the info and advice you can, some will be very specific to the particular schemes you’re in. 
Sending love and a big virtual hug your way, HFxx 

Hi

im sorry to hear about your problems with the lgps. It is interesting to hear about the OH advisor role. My OH doctor has advised that he does not get involved in ill health pension situations as he is regarded as not being independent. It is therefore always outsourced. He can write a report if required knowing (hopefully) the situation. He also suggested spending the time now to source the most pertinent medical reports to support a potential application.

Good luck with everything and thanks for taking the time to post.

R

Hi Happyfeet

Many thanks for your post. I’m glad that you had the support you did and although a long process, you got there in the end. I’m still info gathering but there is as you say a lot of support out there. 

Big hug back x

R