I am returning to my role in local government after primary breast cancer in September. I am 61 and have been prescribed letrozole for 5 years. I am suffering with effects of cognitive impairment and have a difficult advisory role which requires knowledge of legislation etc. I also have chronic fatigue and pain in my hands and joints and suffer from sleep deprivation.
I intend to attempt a phased return but will also try to record and evidence difficult and problems I will face. I will also discuss ill health retirement application with occupational health.
I am wanting to find out if any other public sector employees have had success in securing a full high tier ill health retirement at pension paid at what would have been due at normal retirement age? How did you evidence your cognitive and physical impairment, was it difficult, did you meet with or have a phone review with the independent doctor?
I intend to get medical support from my oncologist and GP and I am also in receipt of PIP so these reports will go the independent pension doctor.
Just seeking some advice from others in similar situation, who may have some tips, I am not in a union. I have to stay on letrozole until I am 66 and currently work 30 hours. There is no alternative work in my area.
I’ve not personally done this but I’m in the process of taking my Scottish teacher’s pension early. As I’m 58 it’s not a huge drop to take it earlier so it may be worth getting a quote for that as you’re older than me? Payments are a bit lower but I’ll get them for longer so works out overall.
I previously worked in Local Government I knew of people who were retired due to ill health however had to go down the occupational health route.
I left Local Government two months prior to my mammogram and subsequent diagnosis so was on probate at my new role when I had to make the decision that I was no longer able to continue in the role.
Hi, I had BC in 2006. I was a senior nurse at the time. After treatment etc I did a phased return which didn’t go well and I ended up going off sick again, main problem was that as an oncology nurse I really struggled with caring for patients with cancer
I applied for early retirement on the grounds of ill health. Things may have changed now but at the time, I ‘gathered evidence’ and got a letter from my oncologist, a letter from the breast care nurse, a letter from the psychologist I was seeing, a letter from occupational health at the hospital , a letter from the surgeon and I wrote my own long essay about how BC had affected me
I sent in the form with all these letters ( still post then, not sent online) on the Thursday and I received a letter the following Tuesday to say I had been successful, no phone calls, nothing, full pension
Happy to provide some insight as I am a retired Civil Servant on ill Health Retirement (Secondary Breast Cancer), 61……..but i found the process difficult, stressful and lots of unknowns. Lots of factors to think about
Which pension scheme are you in? You mention “securing a full high tier ill health retirement”. you need to check if your current pension scheme will provide this if you are unable to fulfill your current role. Recent pension changes brought in all sorts of changes
Very difficult to get any information/forecasts out of the current pension provider (Capita) ……I didn’t know my pension award until i received my final paperwork!
My Consultant advised I was too ill to work and signed me off work. In my case I had a very supportive line manager who suggested going for medical retirement and started off the process. The OH Doctor was also very supportive (telephone interview )
My advice is to start the process asap, seek LM support ( key in this). The Pension provider does not have the capacity ( or will ) to provide forecasts - until a decision is made. Hence you will not have all the information you need , before starting the process.
Please remember - you have paid in for a long time into your pension and you are entitled to your pension benefits if you are too ill to work …..good luck and I wish you all the best - Hope this is helpful