Is there any x-teachers out there who have managed to get ill health retirement pension.

[charlotte10]

If so how did you get it and how long did it take? I have been under OH for the last couple of years so tried all the treatments and advice and did return back to work. However, since returning I have found it a struggle and need to face the fact that i am just not capable of the job which i have been doing 2 day a week following long term sick.

[shazzad]

Hi, after twelve years as a college lecturer i was dismissed this year on the grounds of capability, i have applied for my pension on the grounds of fibromyalgia, arthritis, i lost my son in 2010 he was 23, i had a lot of time of off work, suffered and still do from depression, anxiety and panic attacks, i have been to see the OH on several occassions, the last time was to assess my conditions for the purpose of retirement, i will be 50 next year, and one of the main critera's he feels in his opinion is........wait for it myAGE!!!! I will not be happy fighting for this part time pension because im too young, how ridiculus is that? I cant help what age all these health problems have come to me. Anyway the forms were filled out in march...so why they are only just sending them is beyound me. So let the fight begin. Good luck to you xxx

[charlotte10 in reply to shazzad]

Thanks for your reply. I too lost my son, he was 11 years of age and died suddenly in 2004 so had to deal with the inquest into his death which was in all the local and national papers, then was involve in a serious road traffic accident in 2007, 5 days after having a new born son who was in the car with me. The following year had a miscarriage. So have been through more than my fair share. I am only 42 now so i may have more of a fight on my hands. Let me know how you get on. Thanks

[Ang01]

Hi, I wasnt teaching but have had my NHS Pension released on the grounds of ill health at a tier 2 which means I dont loose out on anything financially. I was originally refused but was advised to contact the Pensions Advisory Service in London who took up my case and won it on my behalf. Well worth a phone call to discuss your circumstances, I found them brilliant and so very helpful. All the best in your fight, Angela x

[charlotte10 in reply to Ang01]

Thanks for this information. Was it fibromyalgi that you put down on your forms or did you have other medical issues as well?

[scojos]

i have been off sick since last april following a breakdown at work due to bullying in the workplace. with a massive amount of support from my union i returned to work in sept on a structured re entrance, on the way to school i was involved in a car crash and suffered through til jan when i collapsed at work and was rushed to a and e. 2 days later i had a hand delivered letter from my head saying i was being suspended on the grounds of incompetency. my son feel very ill 2 days later and spent 6 days in hospital and is now followed by 4 specialists at BCH, OH saw me 3 times, diagnosed depression stress etc, and told head to "leave me in peace". the head then decided if he couldnt get me on competency (i was mentally incapable of undergoing the procdure) he would attack me on attendance. the union again have been amazingly supportive, and have negotiated on my behalf and agreed departure which means i walk away with a clean reference and a payout. we did discuss medical retirement but at 39 id like to think i will one day return to teaching if only as a supply teacher... it was a door i was unwilling to "shut". she did however explain medical retirement is very hard to get, even with a dx of fm.... good luck, speak to your union, they are very knowledgable!

[charlotte10 in reply to scojos]

Thanks for your reply. I too feel unfairly treated in the workplace as i was working in a jobshare post but as my partner has just retired - i feel forced out of this post to do a PPA role which is not want i want to do as i love having my own class of children and building a bond with them. The head recruited a newly qualified teacher for the class that i was sharing. The NUT have been involved and i could raise a grievance on the grounds of discrimation but i think that will end up making my health worse. It is interesting to know that you walked out with a clean reference and a payout as i feel that i should have been offered redundancy as my job nolonger exists rather than being forced to do another role in school which i do not want to do. Thanks

[Ang01]

Hi Charlotte, although I have fibro I also put all the other issues down i.e. depression, incontinence, IBS etc. which although can be as a result of fibro they are all medical issues in their own right. I was told not to assume that because you have fibro you can rely on the person doing the medical to know the range of different symptoms you get so ensure they are all on the form and say how they affect your day to day life. Also include any help you receive to deal with these problems. All the best if you decide to go ahead with the ill health retirement. xx