Retirement due to Ill health update

[LizzieR]

Hi all,

I know some of you are going through/ thinking of going for early retirement due to ill health. Just to say, after months- I applied last Easter- it's finally come through. So for me it was worth going through the stress, pain and endless examinations and questions. I have two pensions and it was hard to see in black and white that no- one thinks I'll work in any capacity again. But, I can also pretend I'm a highly successful business woman who made so much money that I can retire at 41! (I just choose to use a !mobility scooter because I'm a lazy business woman;-))

I' m not getting a lot, but at least I will be off ESA- stupid, but I get v stressed about it! PIP, I think, will stay, so not quite escaped completely. Anyway. I'm rambling- just wanted to give some hope to all those who are battling through the horrendous system!

L x

[Jewels94]

Congratulations on getting your I’ll health retirement sorted out. I’ve recently done the same. Just to advise, by claiming ESA, your contributions will still be made for your state pension so that you can claim that when eligible. Contribution based ESA is reduced by 50 pence in the pound for every pound over £85 a week you receive in occupational pension. Income related ESA is reduced pound for pound. If placed in WRAG group ESA end after a year on contribution based. In support group it carries on indefinitely whilst you meet the criteria for support group. I know claiming ESA can be stressful but it is worth considering it.

[LizzieR in reply to Jewels94]

Thank you! I wondered about contributions. You've explained it better than any of the websites I looked at. I will persevere with it then. Thank you so much again x

[Jewels94 in reply to LizzieR]

You’re welcome

[Groats in reply to Jewels94]

How do you go about getting I’ll health retirement Iam a gravedigger age 59 my back is always sore and can’t do the job now can you tell me what to do thanks tom

[LizzieR in reply to Groats]

Hi,

Oh that sounds like a terrible job for someone with our condition- your poor back!

What to do: it depends who you work for and who your employer is. If it's your local authority ( in UK) then you can either contact: your personnel / Human Resources office; your/ their pension supplier. They will tell you what forms to fill in. I had to pay a £100 or so to get a medical examination from them. I would also contact your union if you have one. After the initial paper work is given you, you have to e.g get a letter from the GP saying how the condition affects you etc.

First thing though- contact your employers/ pension providers. Feel free to ask if you have any questions/ want some help as you go through it.

Good luck! L x

[Groats in reply to LizzieR]

Thanks

[mogs231 in reply to Jewels94]

I have done the same thing..since Februaury..I went to ESA assesment ..I was disgusted..the way thet i was treated..first time ever claiming benefits and they didnt seem to believe a word i said...I have oesteo and NOW rheumatoid arthritis..seems to me the only way you can get benefits is if you have a terminal illness or a drug /alcohol addict..WHAT is wrong with the system now!!! it is so demoralising..its bad enough having these illnesses without being grilled about it!! they seemed to want to know more about my past{when i was working} havnt heard back yet but have a pip assesment this week..not looking forward to that!!I think it is disgusting!! what am i supposed to live on?

[Jewels94 in reply to mogs231]

The whole process is totally degrading. We spend our lives trying to hide how much we are struggling so our loved ones don’t worry too much about us and then we’re expected to tell all to a total stranger who seems to have no empathy with us. Hopefully it went better than you thought and you’ll get awarded. Good luck with it.

[mogs231 in reply to Jewels94]

that is so true..thanks for your reply

[Jinnybabs in reply to mogs231]

Your experience sounds so similar to mine. Diagnosed with RA in January of this year (have OA too, both knees replaced), had to leave work in March, on SSP til August, when the private hospital I had worked for as a nurse for 12 years terminated my contract - my job had been absorbed anyway. I am 62, so not eligible for state pension or workplace pension til I am 66. So have got ESA, £73.10 per week, have at least got housing benefit and Council tax paid. Went for an horrendous PIP assessment, and heard last week I had been turned down, so am now appealing. I live alone, and manage my own bills; but my income is £292, and just my direct debits to keep the my house going are £330 per month. That is without petrol, food, toiletries etc. I totally agree about the whole thing being demoralising, and made to feel like a fraud, even though my hands are deformed and won't work properly. This benmefit seems to be all I am entitled too, and the sums just don't add up. I can carry on topping up for a few months, but then what do I do? I've worked all my life, and rthis is the first time I've ever had to apply for benefits. The whole system stinks!

[LizzieR in reply to Jinnybabs]

You got turned down for PIP?? Appeal. I think I've been v lucky- I got everything thrown at me! Although that didn't reduce the stress and the feelings of humiliation at the way they treat you. And just letting you go after 12yrs. I'm so angry for you. I'd appeal. And get legal/ citizens advice info about the personal pension. I'm not getting much, but I' m lucky in that my wife works. Thinking of you xx

[LizzieR in reply to Jinnybabs]

PS maybe get some help when you fill the PIP form in? I suspect you are too independent. But what are you meant to do ifg you live alone. God it makes me angry. X

[Matilda_1922]

I'm looking at ill health retirement as I am struggling with work. I've worked mainly in the NHS since the age of 18 with a couple of breaks. (But not long) went part time after my first baby and With a small break following my second baby. Once part time I paid a half year into pension went back to full time in 2001 but back to part time last year therefore now at aged 57 I have approximately 28/29 years. So if I took my pension now I wouldn't be able to live. So the only way out is by ill health.

[Jewels94 in reply to Matilda_1922]

When you went part time again, was it because of your health. I believe this can be taken into account for your Ill health pension and you can be treated as if you were working full time although I am not quite sure of the rules regarding this.

[Matilda_1922 in reply to Jewels94]

Yes I dropped my hours a few months after diagnosis.

I'm hoping this will happen that's why I'm asking for ill health retirement.

[Jewels94 in reply to Matilda_1922]

Good luck with it, hope it all works out for you. I’m really glad I persisted with it.

[LizzieR in reply to Matilda_1922]

Go for it! It's worth the hassle x

[allanah]

Well done. Now to do what you want , when you want. It's brilliant!

[LizzieR in reply to allanah]

Woo hop x

[LizzieR in reply to LizzieR]

Hmm I meant woo hoo!

[allanah in reply to LizzieR]

Well you should be doing a hop skip.and jump !! Well if you didnt have ill health 😅😅

[LizzieR]

Hi, thank you for the advice- I'm in the support group so will stay on that. Not sure what you mean by locked?!

[LizzieR]

Thank you! X