An introduction
There is nothing more worrying than being told you are unfit to work. You are a long way from retirement, but your health has begun to fail. You have been told that you are permanently incapable of teaching due to illness or injury. In such circumstances, it is possible to retire before your Normal Pension Age (NPA), though specific criterion needs to be satisfied.
The process of seeking ill health retirement can be complicated. There are issues such as:
- if you qualify for ill-health retirement
- how to apply for your benefits
- when and how you would be expected to provide medical evidence
- how the award is calculated
You will need to discover how ill-health retirement needs cooperation between you and your employer. You will also need support from occupational health and have explored ways to manage your illness. There will be some investigation in to helping you remain or return to work, through such strategies as part-time work or lessening responsibility. If none of this is possible, then you will need help with the application process in understanding how your payments and benefits will be calculated.
If you find yourself confused or in need of additional support, then seek the help of an independent financial advisor. An advisor would be able to personally guide you through each step in the process.
The content in this article was correct on 12th September 2019. You should not rely on this article to make important financial decisions. Teachers Financial Planning offers advice on pensions for teachers and non-teachers. Please use the contact form below to arrange an informal chat with an advisor and see how we can help you.
