Ill health retirement

[ChristineW18]

I have multiple health conditions, Systemic Lupus diagnosed at 15, stage 4 kidney disease, osteoarthritis, hypertension, anxiety and depression and last year I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I have worked for the last 30 years as a secretary in a G P practice. Last year my health problems came to a head and I have been off sick since then. I have been referred to a pain manager clinic but I am limited as to pharmacy options due to my other co-existing problems. I am also undergoing CBT treatment. I have applied for and been turned down for early I'll health retirement on the grounds that I may improve. I am not sure how I am expected to "improve" under the circumstances. Has anyone experienced anything similar and can give me some advice?

[mand65]

Hi ChristineW18I have very recently been retired on ill health, but it was far from easy, I had to prove that I had tried every option available, including pain management, physio, acupuncture, trigger point injections, all kinds of medication, most of which didn't work, I've had xrays of just about every inch of my body, I'd had many adjustments made by my employer, who were brilliant, including reduced working hours and working from home.

It has been an ongoing issue along with other health problems for over 8 years, but it is possible , make sure to gather all the information to prove there is nothing left you haven't tried.

You can always apply again the future, I'm presuming you were not successful as there are options and treatments that you haven't tried yet. Good luck for the future. x

[ChristineW18 in reply to mand65]

Thanks for your reply. Yes the problem seemed to be that I hadnt tried everything. I am having CBT and have a appt with pain management. My renal physician is backing me so I will get more info from her. They didn't mention my kidney disease so I am wondering of they got the original letters I sent. I am going to appeal but like you say, trying all options first.

[releasethemagic]

Getting medical retirement is really difficult these days because it costs pension schemes a small fortune. It is not just the value of the pension that they have to consider. It is the cost of any uplift that the scheme may grant, either as a pension increase or as extra years of service added on, and the amount of capital the scheme must set aside to fund the pension, currently approx £40,000 per £1,000 of pension paid. You need to marshal your evidence. Sickness absence records, GP records, letters from every Hospital appointment you have had, copies of X rays, scans and MRIs. Get Social Services to carry out an assessment of your needs as a disabled person. An Occupational Therapist will produce a report. Claim PIP and get a copy of the Disability Assessor’s report on you. If all else fails, get an independent consultant who has never treated you to write a report on you after reviewing all your medical records and to examine you. This could cost up to £3,500. Get a copy of the pension scheme rules on medical retirement and make sure everything you submit addresses the rules and makes it clear which of the rules apply to your situation and why. Usually there are two criteria, can you do your own job or a similar role and if not, could you do any job? Good luck.

[ChristineW18 in reply to releasethemagic]

Thank you for your advice. I realise the reason for the criteria for early release of pension funds but I feel like NHS workers are being penalised for ill health. Do teachers and civil servants have such a tough time? I am getting help in the form of CBT, i am awaiting assessment from pain management and my renal physician is supportive. My argument is that it is a combination of problems that is the issue and it's difficult to treat all conditions as one impacts the other, ie i am unable to take most pain medication due to renal disease and I am on blood thinners . My renal disease is one step from dialysis. Do I really have to wait until I have no quality of life before getting what will amount to £300 to £ 400 a month?

[releasethemagic in reply to ChristineW18]

It seems to be all pension schemes that give pensions based on salary that are doing their utmost not to pay out. Police, Teachers, Civil Servants, Banks, NHS, Councils, Universities - all the schemes are under-funded.

[ChristineW18 in reply to releasethemagic]

Yes, all the people who have worked throughout the pandemic 😥