Ill health retirement

Life after a breast cancer diagnosis Work, finance and travel
1

Hi ladies,

I have been on long term sick and work in the NHS. I have just found out that my application for ill health retirement has been accepted. The process was stressful as my employment was terminated before I found out that my application had been accepted. Now that it is over, I am so relieved. Hope this helps if anyone is thinking of, or is in the process of applying for ill health retirement.

Michelle xx

2

Hi @Michy1 , thank you for sharing this with us. Well done on persevering!

3

Thank you for sharing.

Does this means you can retire early and get your pension as well as other benefits?

I’m still able to work and hope to continue a bit longer.

4

Hi Michelle

i am interested to hear about your ill health retirement application.  I was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer in April.  I have finished chemo and am now on targeted therapy which has quite a few side effects.  
I applied for ill health retirement and thought that I would easily qualify as my cancer is incurable.  It has been an awful experience.  My employer is supportive but the Occ Health company that they use has turned the application down.  I am 58 with a prognosis of 5 years (if I respond to the therapy) so I am unlikely to benefit from the investment into my defined benefit pension that I have made for many years.

Did you have to fight to get your application approved?  Would you mind sharing your diagnosis so I can compare our situation?

Thank you

Tracey x