Hi
How are you all doing?
My boss has advised me to go on ill health retirement, she's been fantastic. After a lot of discussion at home etc, I've decided to take them up on it cos I've got a few health issues and in so much pain. Has anybody else had to do this? It's going to be a big wrench. Xxxx
Are you happy with this Lynn? What sort of work did you use to do? I'm sorry your in so much pain. Is there anyone at home with you who can help you if you require it?
Yes, my son is in a gap year and my husband, though he's quite a way off retirement., Finishes at 3 every day. I've got lots of friends nearby too. I'm a classroom asst and dinner lady. My hours have already been cut to see if that helped but it didn't. I come home in tears most days. I had been thinking about it, it's just a shock when it's mentioned to you. Xx
It's good to know that you have family and friends there to help you should you need it. I can understand how it must feel to be suddenly no longer fit enough to work. I think your work colleagues have your interests at heart, and possible see you in so much pain.
Have you thought what you might do with all this free time now, something that's not too painful, but that might keep you active.
I wish you well Lynne, please take care.
Richard xx
Thank you so much. Yes, they have got my best interests at heart. They've seen me pushing myself to go in and being in so much pain. I was in tears every day when I got home. Take care xx
Sorry ain't got answer .just to say hope your ok !as we all have to be!
Whatever you decide I wish you the bestest .
All the very best lynne whatever you decide, you have a loving circle of family and friends around you who no doubt will do their best for you, take care xx.
Thank you so much xx
I did but I also had the years in to receive all my insurance benefits plus a check which is a whole lot less then the regular pay but still more then zero, then other benefits kicked in. It is wonderful since I can’t do much anyway at least now there is no pressure to get up and get going, and not drive especially with HE. I stay busy up most nights and nap periodically through out the day. I make it a point to schedule all appointments in the afternoons and On Tuesday or Wednesday ( I figure the doctors ought to be all warmed up and ready to work those days ) after you get yourself comfortable with not having to show up and your health gets better maybe you can find something part time to do from home if you wish. If not it’s a lot of fun just to sit and wave at everyone else passing by on there way to work. I can’t believe you have worked as long as you have, you are very strong and this will be a good thing you can transfer all that energy into feeling better,and resting.
Enjoy the time
DLD 🤠
Thank you so much. I'm even falling asleep when someone is talking to me !! Xxxx
Might be worth checking out where you stand legally with regard to "ill health retirement" and if you do take up this "retirement", will you be suitably remunerated i.e. with a decent pension etc
Best!
Paul :-))
Thank you xxxx
Hi Lynne, I was advised the same 8 years ago. I was working for the NHS, had cut my hours to 20, and moved my base nearer to my home. I had previously been falling asleep driving home and scared myself on more than one occasion. I was in chronic pain, had terrible fatigue and this along with work had caused me to be very depressed.
I had a very supportive line manager, and the women from HR was lovely, she filled out forms for me etc. However my claim was rejected as they claimed if I was given a transplant within the time frame suggested by hepatologist I would be young enough to go back to work!! This does not account for the fact that Pbc is not cured by transplant, and there are no guarantees that fatigue would improve. I would also have to do a return to practice course as I'd be no longer qualified to do my job. The pension people don't make it easy, I know of a woman on the Pbc site who was given her I'll health retirement for the same condition, same symptoms, but she was a bit older so that made her eligible.
So, I think your age is important, how old are you? Sorry to be nosy., I regret it massively, I wish they could have supported me to find work I could have done more flexibly. I am bored and lonely a lot of the time, I spend days and sometimes weeks without going out. I to have a lovely husband who looks after me and my kids are wonderful but its not the same.
Work gives you a sense of achievement and wellbeing, you feel useful and interaction helps your mental health. That being said, if you know you can fill your time, have plenty of people around you who are not working and therefore can give you support etc and most importantly if you are not feeling well enough everyday, then retirement might be the best thing.
I hope you get help and support, and if you do go for it that the pension company will do the decent thing and give it to you without a fight!!
Best wishes
E x
Thank you so much, you are so kind. I'm 52, my boss did reduce my hours but that didn't work either. Take care xxxx
Hi Lynne
I haven't posted on here a a long time but I do read the posts from all the lovely people suffering with liver and other problems.
I was diagnosed with PBC about 2 years ago after 18 months of not feeling well and having so many symptoms from autoimmune desease. The main problem for me was fatigue and I didn't know why I was so tired all the time. I left my job because of this not actually having retirement in my mind I though after a while of resting I would feel well enough to get another job or go back to my old one. But I consider myself very fortunate that my husband had a good job and We could manage without me having to work although I really missed and still miss being independent.
Obviously I wish I didn't have health problems and that I could work but I found that I loved not having to rush around and if I was having a day where I didn't feel too well I could do as little or as much as I could cope with.
Please try to stay positive, and keep posting if I can help you or anyone in anyway I will
Love Twill x
Thank you so much for your kind words. Lots of love Lynne xxxx
Hi Lynne,
You may find the publication 'Living with liver disease' useful to read as there is a section on benefits and entitlements and useful phone number of places like The Citizens Advice Bureau etc;
britishlivertrust.org.uk/wp...
We hope this is helpful and send you all best wishes,
BLT Admin
Thank you so much xxxx
I had to take medical retirement 7 years ago . I was very poorly , but it took a lot of adjustment, as I was giving up a job I loved. But now I'm so glad I did , I have a better quality of life , I can look after my own health better,(which is the most important ) and I am volunteering at something I love with out any pressure. The down side I felt we are financially worse off (have a couple pensions and pips but nothing like my salary and we have a high mortgage, but it was worth all the worry and self doubt to come out the other side with a better quality of life. Just do it.
Thank you so much. Did occupational health get involved . My boss said the way you've struggled and the pain you've been in, it's the best choice to make. So, yes I'm going to do it xxxx
Yes they did but it was only a formalities. I found them very helpful.
That's good to know, thank you xxxx
Hi Lynne
Are you on a final salary pension? IF so, then check the early retirement benefits, way back when I worked as an Actuary, the benefit where enhanced as if you were 65. In which case I would bless you boss and get out asap 
Good Luck!
Thank you. I'm a classroom assistant and dinner lady. Pay pension every month, I've been told level 1 you get full enhancement until 65, level 2 a quarter enhancement until 65 and level 3 enhancement until I'm 55!! My boss seems to think I will be fine as we've done everything by the book. I'm at a low ebb but I know I have to keep smiling!! Hope you are doing ok
Sounds odd, not like I remember. e.g. my sister is ex police. She retired at 40 and got a pension (FULL 2/3 rds). I think we have crossed lines? Perhaps send me the pension fund booklet and I can take a look?
What I am talking about is "back in the day of final salary" the pension you got at 60/65 as standard was - years service / 60 x salary e.g. you retire after 20 years you get 20/60 x 10,000 (salary say). Where a person retires on ill health, they get FULL service i.e. 40/60 x 10,000. So the pension fund pays out as if you were 60/65.
Also, what is level 1,2,3? As I say, the booklet would be best and I will happily take a look. My email is ja@ja1.co.za - I was in South Africa till ill health brought me back to UK!
Thank you.I've somehow mislaid booklet!! Level 1,2 and 3 is what citizens advice told me, I will let you know when I have more information!! I'm easily confused at the moment!! Thank you once again
Any news on what happened....best wishes x
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