Retirement

[Shoshov]

Hi guys does anyone know if you can retire early with pots and coronary artery disease. I don't have a private pension. I'm getting to the point I think I'm going to lose my driving license because of dizziness and fainting. As I'm a driving instructor that'll be the nail in the coffin

[Gordon99]

I have several pensions, including private, and when I became too ill to work was lucky enough to find that one of them did pay out early with a report from my consultant.

[Hidden in reply to Gordon99]

Not being rude but you having several pensions doesn`t really help Shoshov`s cause does it?

[Gordon99 in reply to Hidden]

If you change job you end up with a few pensions. It gives you a range of experience. Some of that experience may help.

[Heartlady1]

Hi... I have asked this question to be told that no condition allows for an early govt paid retirement. If you are too ill to work you would then need to go down the route of claiming benefits until such time as you get to retirement age. This is what I was told when I enquired.

[Gordon99 in reply to Heartlady1]

That is correct for the State pension. Private pensions vary but few allow for early claims due to ill health. PIP is great if you qualify but there is a 34 page form to fill in. The support group I go to recommend that you get help from someone who understands the key words to avoid. I was refused twice before succeeding, then it was withdrawn as soon as I had my transplant. Good luck.

[Shoshov in reply to Gordon99]

Thanks gordon

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hi Shoshov,

I was retired early due to my heart condition by the NHS.

I applied and got a hard fought for PIP which will allow you to claim for other benefits. You will need to reapply for a PIP every few years.

You are not able to claim your state pension until the usual pension age which for me is years away at 67 years.

I suggest you contact Citizens Advice bureau for further advice.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I looked at this a few years before retirement age as I had been on ESA after the company I worked for went under and I had elective surgery in double quick time. Having well over the qualifying years for the state pension I enquired to find that it is never available early whatever the circumstance. My GP was overridden after I was called in for an ATOS assessment. I considered the assessment a farce but was declared fit for work before I was really ready to return. When I was there I spoke with someone of 63. He had done manual work all his life until he lost the use of an arm in an accident. He was declared fit for work and advised he could do office work. Whilst he came over as a thoroughly decent person but by his own admission was quite poor in the 3 R's so had no idea what office work he could do! On JSA I was set targets for the number of jobs to apply for per week under the threat of benefits being stopped. This meant applying for jobs that I knew I had no chance of getting and wasting everybody's time. Having a small final salary pension from a job I had many years ago I asked about taking it early on health grounds. It turned out the scheme had been amended so that previous employees could only retire early at a fairly reduced rate. This rule had also been applied to current employees subsequently.

I do not know your state of health but have been told the PIP assessment is quite tough. If you fail to qualify it becomes JSA/ESA.

[Gordon99 in reply to MichaelJH]

The only good news here is that if you do qualify then you can claim both ESA & PIP at the same time so it is worth applying. Get help with your application I consider it vital. Good luck.

[Shoshov in reply to Gordon99]

Iv just got a sick note from gp. Up until now I haven't bothered to use them and have been living off what little savings I have as I don't have the energy to work many hours. I'll be putting this one in and see what they say. I know in my area it's universal credit. Never having had to claim benefits before I haven't a clue. You just keep thinking things will improve and you can back to normal. Unfortunately iv been told I'm a complex case so don't see things improving anytime soon. Thanks for advice everyone. Much appreciated at always. Shiona

[Gordon99 in reply to Shoshov]

I was in a similar position. I didn’t apply until I had been too sick to work for 9 months. The benefit system is a nightmare. I eventually qualified after several attempts and interviews. It was well worth the hassle. Since transplant I’ve lost it again but it certainly made a difference when I was getting it. Most went on transport costs and hospital car parking.

[Shoshov in reply to Gordon99]

Ha ha that sounds about right. I'll see how it goes anyway

[gal4God]

I have no idea I’m onli young but u may be able to get ESA.