Ill Health pension

[vw43]

I am trying to work out what to do for the best for my family.

I am married, have two children in their teens and a mortgage.

I have had a occupational health appointment and the Dr has recommended a reduction in hours, redeployment or ill health.

If I am redeployed or drop my hours in 3 months I probably won't be able to work anyway.

My condition has got worse in the last 12 months and my speech is now affected

My pension scheme says I can take ill health if my employer agrees but I just want to know if I reduce my hours or accept redeployment. In 3 months time I probably have to give up work and then I think I get less of a pension. It may sound obvious but has anyone else gone through this. I work for the local authority so am fortunate that I think its a reasonable scheme. I think they have to top my pension up as if I was 67 (I'm 53)

They will try to avoid this.

I am in a union but they can't advise on pensions

Regards

Sean

[wobblybee]

🤔 Have you asked the Citizens Advice Bureau..it’s free and could be very helpful.

[vw43 in reply to wobblybee]

I haven't

I try them.

Perhaps they can make sence of it all.

Thanks

Sean

[laglag]

If you lived in the US I would say go for the disability, but I'm not sure if your system is similar to ours?

[nigelrheath]

Hi, the local authority pension scheme has protocols on retirement through ill Heath. Ask personnel to speak to a pension adviser.

If you manage to get your pension upgraded I suspect it will be less than your income. Speak to your mortgage provider about changing your mortgage to interest only, or extending it’s term to reduce monthly payments.

The citizens advice bureau will certainly be able to offer you help in sorting this. And in signposting other benefits available to you.

Good luck and be proactive as it will help you feel better and more in control.

Nigel

[vw43 in reply to nigelrheath]

Thanks NigelI changed my mortagage to intetest only back in September although I need to extend it for more than three years which I can do with them.

Need to speak to HR to advise me on my pension. Understand it can be tricky getting ill

health.

thanks again

Sean

[SueMillman Partner Ataxia UK]

You could speak to your pension provider so that you understand how your pension would work in the various scenarios you might be presented with. As you say, if you are in a Final Salary scheme, it may well not benefit you to go part-time as your final salary before retirement would be reduced; but there may be a way around it. The HR department may also be able to give you the factual information about the effect of going part-time on your pension.

[vw43 in reply to SueMillman]

Thanks Sue

Will action this

Sean

[BrettDarby]

Very similar to you, though I consider myself lucky that I retired on medical grounds. I feel that my occupational health chap was top, so I’d suggest laying your cards on the table before him, for me it was I want to retire on a pension—hope that doesn’t sound too trite.

[vw43 in reply to BrettDarby]

Have spoken to occupy health they have recommended a reduction in hours redeployment or ill health

Can't do my current job after lockdown and can't seeing me redeployed due to my speech.

So it will have to be Ill health

Been trying to work my pension out.

They say they should make it up to my pensionable age at 67

If they do I'm ok

Sean

[BrettDarby]

Good luck! and I mean it, I’ve got an inkling as to what you are going through.

My slurred speech was a constant worry to me, first impressions, talking on the phone with customers, etc etc

[vw43 in reply to BrettDarby]

Yep, your right always aware my speech isn't great when I speak to clients.

Makes you feel nervous especially as my speech tends to get worse with convesation.

Thanks for your support

Sean

[BrettDarby in reply to vw43]

I did speech therapy via Skype a few years back, worked at the time but it was exhausting—lots of loud “Ahhhhhh” Anyway, I’ve found it useful to read aloud...

[vw43 in reply to BrettDarby]

Hi

Yes, had some speech therapy last year.

Speech is worse now, and now the Ataxia nurse in London has referred me to their SALT team so we see how that goes. Its in April via video call which I must look at.

Its keeping on top of it all, Physiotherapy exercises, bladder exercises and speech and language exercise. Its a full time job. Can't complain only trying to help. So frustrating for me as things seem to be worse with time,

Regards

Sean

[BrettDarby in reply to vw43]

I'm in the dark about many things, what is SALT?

I need a wee now, but shall hold on till tea...

[vw43 in reply to BrettDarby]

Hope you havent held on too long. Sorry SALT is an abbreviation for speech and language Therapy

I work in social care so know the lingo.Not new treatment