Local Gov Tier 2 Ill Health?

[Winter_night]

Hi all

For those familiar with the local government (LGPS) pension scheme ill health process… Is any paid or voluntary work at all allowed with Tiers 2 and 3? I’m not talking a new permanent role, but perhaps a few hours part time when able.

Thanks in advance for any feedback…

[candyfloss66]

Hi Winter Night, Check your paperwork if you are receiving your pension already. Or go to the website of your pension provider it will tell you there. There are some limitations as to hours and when you need to inform them of changes, or give them a call.

[Winter_night in reply to candyfloss66]

hiya candyfloss66 , thanks for your reply. I requested the information and they just sent a huge document with links that I have found really hard to sift through. However my union has just advised they have a pensions person who is going to contact me.

[R-OD]

Hi I retired with tier 1 and asked unison if I could take a part time voluntary position which they told me I could. I would imagine this is the same for tier 2 (as paid for life) tier 3 which is temporary and will stop if you are capable of, or start gainful employment, so I would get advice if you have tier 3 hope this helps and good luck 🤞

[Winter_night in reply to R-OD]

Hi R-OD , thanks - that’s great to know. I’d love to be able to do a few flexible unpaid hours close to home. I’ve been told Tier 1 will be very difficult to get at my age (40) so I’m assuming it’ll be Tier 2 or 3 as don’t want to get my hopes up. However at the same time I know it’s a medical decision so I guess it’s possible. Do you mind me asking if it was a hard process to get Tier 1? I have multiple conditions including fibromyalgia, EDS, mast cell disease etc and I receive PIP and occ health support from my council as my mobility is affected. I have been under almost every hospital clinic there is as almost every part of my body is affected. But I know I am very young compared to most who apply. If you’d rather not share I totally understand.

[R-OD in reply to Winter_night]

Hi I had support from 2 consultants that I wrote to and asked if they would support the application. I was 53 at the time and my line manager refused reasonable adjusts so started the process of medical capability, I had previously seen Occupational Health in May 20 where they suggested I needed an office closer to home that was accessible. Due to lockdown and being vulnerable I worked from home but was transferred to an office 5 minutes drive away. I was constantly pushed to attend the office . During my home working I was doing some special projects which suited me. My memory was getting worse and word pronunciation was difficult, so managing the conflicting priorities of my role would be difficult so I was sent back to occupational health. This time they recommended I work on desk based projects and the ability to work from home. My manager was having none of that so I asked for ill health retirement. Once you ask for ill health you are referred to a medical officer who will make the recommendation. I worked for Portsmouth who used a private provider for all 3 assessments. It was a very stressful time for me and I was relieved when it was over. I am not sure age should be a factor tier 1 is based on the probability for you being able to work for 30 hours per week for a whole year between now and retirement and I believe in the same role. Hope you get the outcome you deserve. If you haven’t read the ill health policy i would get a copy!! Xx

[Winter_night in reply to R-OD]

Thank you - that is a big help to know and understand. I’m glad you got what you were rightly entitled to! I’ll keep you posted on my outcome 😊

[Winter_night in reply to R-OD]

hi R-OD , hope you are well? So occ health has suggested I qualify for IHR and my manager has said the organisation will support it. I still have to start the application process but I have no idea how long the whole thing takes - do you recall how long it took? I find I get less anxious when I know roughly what to expect! X

[R-OD in reply to Winter_night]

Hi the whole process took me about 8 weeks, from agreeing with HR to receiving the medical officer report. I was then given 3 months notice on full pay before my pension started payment. I am really pleased that they are going to support you. When I received the report saying that I should receive the top tier it was such a relief. I had worked in Housing for 23 years and loved my job now I am so glad to be out of it. Good luck and let me know how it goes Rachel xx

[Winter_night in reply to R-OD]

Thank you ever so much Rachel R-OD - I will definitely let you know the outcome! x

[R-OD in reply to Winter_night]

❤️

[Ellenindigo]

I also got tier 1 - I am 54. It wasn't hard - just a conversation with the occ health. I have EDS OA and FM. I know why you are saying it may be harder due to your age (as presumably there may be cures down the line for us all), but it shouldn't matter.

Let us know how you get on x

[Winter_night in reply to Ellenindigo]

Hi Ellenindigo , thanks for your reply - we are in a similar situation health wise by the sounds of it. My manager and HR have been great, really supportive, but they don’t understand the complexities of EDS and comorbidities I suspect hence them saying ‘you’re very young..’ etc. Also they’re probably structuring my expectations to avoid disappointment! I have a huge amount of evidence so fingers crossed. I will indeed keep you posted 😊