Ill health retirement from teaching with Stage 3?

Hi KatieS24 

I'm sorry to read how much you're struggling at work and can understand why you might want to retire. 

I don't know how you go about proving that you're unfit for work but I'm sure if you post your question in the Ask a Financial Guide section of the online community, one of Macmillan's financial guides will be able to help. If you'd prefer to speak to them they can be reached on 0808 808 0000, between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday.

If you haven't already, you might find this information from Macmillan on returning to work useful. It talks about things like how your employer has to make reasonable adjustments to allow you to continue to work. If they refuse to make changes then they can be found guilty of disability discrimination as the law considers having cancer as a disability.

Let us know how you get on

Anne

Thanks so much for the advice, Anne. I’ll definitely use the Ask a Financial Guide section. Fortunately, work have made some adjustments but just too exhausted to fulfil the role fully.

Take care,

Katie

Hi I looked into this 2 years ago but it wasn't the teaching profession.  It's a question for the pension fund.  You have to be 55 to get payments from your pension, but you can get it earlier on ill health grounds.  My pension is a defined contribution scheme.  There is a form I would need to fill in, and my GP or consultant would need to sign to say that I was no longer capable of doing the job.  That is then considered by the pension scheme.  If they accept the proposition, then the normal pension benefits become available.   That may be a full payout from which you buy an annuity or drawdown, if available.  I'd suggest you seek the advice from a financial advisor as many options are available.  

Thanks so much for the advice.

Take care.

Hi sorry to hear what your going through I have stage 3a melanoma I had 3 lymph nodes out if 6 in groin. I've also tried dab and tram but for only 4 months due to side affects  and found thyroid cancer which I had whole thyroid removed. I don't think I  goung back on dab and tram having scans. So blood tests are part of surveillance. I'm seeing oncology consultant soon.

Oh, hope all goes well for you. Take good care.

I got ill health retirement a few years ago but not for cancer. My gp filled in sone of the forms, the EIS union helped but I enclosed a letter detailing how I was affected. The council doctor (my employer) said I wouldn’t get it but I did. My letter really helped. Also apply for PIP (ADP in Scotland). 

Thanks very much for the response. Glad it all worked out for you.