Hi am thinking of going for early retirement through I'll health,
I'm stage 4 peritoneal cancer gone through chemo and debulking got Ned in September on avastin now but ca125 rising from 17 to 40' my oncologist sent me for a ct scan so waiting for results.
Was just wondering if anyone got their full pension or reduced pension and how they got it and how hard was it to get.
Trish xx
Hi Trish, Every employer is different on what criteria they require for early retirement and payment of any pension accrued, check with your HR department, also check your contract and employment/retirement policy. I worked for the NHS and couldn’t get my pension because I hadn’t been off sick much in the year I actually applied for early retirement and also couldn’t get my pension despite being off for virtually the whole previous year with the cancer, I needed to finish as my working conditions were becoming increasingly detrimental to my peripheral neuropathy and health in general. With hindsight I should have just gone off sick and let them retire me on I’ll health but hindsight is a wonderful thing. Find out what you’re able to do as there are options available it’s just knowing what you are entitled to and how to get it.
I can thoroughly recommend not working though. Good luck with this, let us know what your decide to do. ❤️Xx Jane
Hi thanks for replying yes I have been in touch with hr I work in a school and they are going to send occupational doctor to see me. It was hr that recommended I'll health retirement so they should be on board.
I have been off work since I got diagnosed in march last year, so tired all the time also find it difficult to breathe when walking since I had the debulking,
Couldn't risk going to work as I work with 5/6 year olds and caring is sharing bless them.
I'm on higher rate pip and disability high rate and higher rate sick pay.
Trishx
The tiredness is really grim isn’t it? It usually does improve though it takes quite a long time, have you also had chemo? That too really takes it out of us and fatigue is one of the many delights that result from it.
I think that if your employer is recommending you take early retirement and will pay your pension then you should go for it, it seems like such a big step but I’d heartily recommend it.
I hope you start to feel a little better very soon, take care ❤️Xx Jane
Hi,
I was working part time when I diagnosed with stage 4. I was most surprised to find I was entitled to 6 months full pay and 6 months half pay. That ran out in December and I have had to ask my employer for a meeting as I feel I ought to free up my hours. I am quite surprised they didn't suggest a meeting.
I already have a NHS pension so obvious won't get another.
Right at the beginning of my illness my ONC said no to working as I was a receptionist in a gym, lots of chances of catching bugs etc.
I would not work if I were you in that job, enjoy yourself.
Sorry not much help really.
Keep positive. X
Yes so many illnesses with little ones, my boss said to take as much time as I needed, they are good to me. X
Hi Trish,
I got the higher tier NHS pension when I recurred. Have got a busy day so I can't do my reply justice at the moment but pm me to remind me (cognitive problems!!) and I'll give you some pointers on how I was advised to proceed. Macmillian gave useful advice. The most important was the support report from my consultant - made tough reading!
Speak soon.
Sandra xx
Thanks I will pm you
Hi Osset
I have just gone through the process having gone through second line chemo and been off since last May. I worked in a college and we only had 3 months full and three months half pay so I ran out in December as did my SSP. If you have been employed for the previous 2 years and NI is up to date you can claim New Style ESA but this was a bit of a nightmare as no one knew how to claim, when I rang I kept getting told I had to claim Univrrsal Credit but this is not necessarily the case. I even went to citizens advice but they didn’t have the latest info either!! In the end I went to the Job Centre and had to beg someone to help me! Finally they let me phone from there and when the lady on the phone said Universal credit again I passed the phone to the person in the job centre and they had to explain that it was New Style ESA which is contribution based. I now have this at the lower rate but had to take a Work Capability form to my CSN to say I have cancer and won’t be working again. I await the result of that. Work wise it was fine as I had my employers backing and a lengthy sick note plus a report from my Oncologist ( tough reading too but she explained it as worst case scenario! ). Work then started the process and I had a telephone conversation with Occupational Health Doctor who then wrote his report that I was unlikely to work again. Result was top tier retirement pension so I didn’t lose anything and am now awaiting PIP decision. Please get advice from your CNS or Macmillan as they are both very helpful and persevere! Please feel free to pm me too if I can add anything but you shouldn’t have a problem - I already had a small pension too!
Good luck and retirement is great!
Best wishes
Jane xx
Hi yes I already get esa at the higher level apparently there is a letter going around in the system about me I have not seen this and it got me higher level pip disability and esa without me doing anything.
I’m Gradr 3 Stage 4 too. I had breast cancer and mastectomy in 2010 followed by reconstruction three years later so the OC diagnosis in Feb 2017 was a real shock. I had never thought that my breast ca would kill me but finding that my thoughts are preoccupied with the possibility of death.
I recently decided that I would not go back to work in the NHS.It was a really hard decision and I have to say I cried. I did feel I had lost something of me. I was 39 when I qualified as a nurse and I have loved having a career. I was only working two or three days a week having already retired on my NHS pension, had a very small other pension and now receive my state pension. The loss of income is hard and my poor husband has increased his part time hours to try to compensate a little but we still have a mortgage. Prior to my DX we had started a major renovation project and I feel sad that I have to be less ambitious about our plans and pray that I will see the finished result. It’s good for my husband to have something to work towards. I sound very materialistic but that’s not me really. My family are wonderful and they keep me going.
I have recently been awarded my NHS Pension on ill health grounds. I had not been able to work since my diagnosis in April 2014 and in March 2015 I was made redundant. For a long time I mistakenly believe I could not apply for my pension early because I had been made redundant.
Any way I did eventually apply and it was a surprisingly easy process. My Consultant confirmed that I would be unable to work again and I am not terminally ill. I received a lump sum and a monthly pension. There will also be a lump sum for my husband when I pop my clogs.
I did have a bit of a moment accepting this final ending of my career and my poor husband had a shock when he read my consultants report - it is different reading it in black and white. But it is now all sorted and I am going to enjoy spending it!
juliax
Well done enjoy your retirement, I asked my oncologist about a letter to say what I had and my outcome and she said she would definitely do one but she as not been asked for one for about a year, she said every one knows what the statistics are for peritoneal cancer and she thinks the occupational doctor will not need one, I'm not sure about that a few people have said they have had letters from their oncologist to help,we will see, no I don't think I would like to read it either.
Trish x
Hi trish
I applied for I'll health early retirement and got it. I was in education. All the forms were pretty daunting as I wasn't feeling well at the time but I did it! . My consultant wrote me a very detailed letter to submit - and my doctor filled in a form - but I think the key thing was that the condition was not curable. Once it was sent off it came through n about 2 weeks and I got the full pension I was entitled to for the years I'd worked plus a small enhancement. Hope that's helpful, let me know if there's any other info you need. Good luck with it,
Love elizabethe
Hi that's good I was hoping for tiers 1 where you get your pension as if you had worked till 67, was you in West Yorkshire pension scheme or equivalent from school,did you have to fill the form in your self or did occupational health do it with you.
Trishx
My retirement age would have been 60 so that's what they worked it on. I was in the teachers. Pension scheme, did the forms myself, I think the school dealt with OH. I'm sure you will be fine as long as you've got the medical evidence, just look at what you are coping with and facing with this disease! I am PPC to, advanced stage 3. My experience was that although it seemed really complicated in the end it was all quite straightforward. Have you discussed it with your consultant and your line manager? They should both be able to support you. My consultants secretary was also brilliant. For me the hardest thing was that I loved my job and really wanted to go back to work - but in the end just knew I couldn't do it and I was right.
Take care, let us know how you get on
Elizabethe. X
Thanks for replying, yes my head of school is behind me just waiting for oh to get in touch so I can start it, I'm 56 and wouldn't retire till 65, yes I love my job always said it is the best job in the world every day is different.
I'm stage 4 peritoneal cancer and just know I couldn't run around after the children age 5/6, and with it starting to come back just feel I need to live for now, I will let you know how I go on.
Trish xx
Early on in treatment for primary peritoneal cancer
Occupational Health Assessment
Health and Wellbeing Event in Cardiff - Friday 4 April 2014
Quite liked this:what not to say to someone when they are ill
