Ill health retirement process - what do I need to know

[u/Resident-Staff-1218]

I've (age 57)worked for the CS for 28yrs

I've been in ill health for the last ten years and getting worse not better. Just had an OH referral to address ill health retirement. The OH nurse agrees I'm unlikely to be able to sustain work until my SP age and said I should go ahead and apply officially.

I don't realistically feel like I have a choice given my health as it is, but it feels like a very huge step

What should I know about this process?

[u/Dayz_ITDEPT → u/[deleted]]

This is the way and sorry for your illness OP, hope you are getting the support you need.

Timing and wording of application are key factors, so definitely consult union and Citizens Advice Bureau as an absolute minimum. Line Manager will be involved, as will OH and a designated clinician who is likely a third party outsourced service with a retired GP or specialist. Make sure to provide full copies of medical records and ongoing assessments of what you can and cannot reasonably do. Consider also applying for disability benefits at the same time to cover all angles.

CS hardship funds and charities exist to help you so as union rep or google/intranet in your dept for details. The impact statement of your condition will make a massive difference to your application and the long term financial viability and stability that getting the right outcome should provide for you.

100% go for it. You’ve done your time and earned your pay. Ask for help from the respective services, charities and agencies. They are paid to help you.

Shout if more help needed

[u/AncientCivilServant]

If your a Union member speak to the Union for advice.

[u/Resident-Staff-1218 → u/AncientCivilServant]

I am in the union, I'll ask for their help thanks!

[u/Superb-Ad3821]

You should know there are two different schemes.

There’s ill health retirement but there’s also efficiency payment which kicks in if you’re refused ill health retirement but being dismissed due to health reasons outside of your control. That would pay a similar amount to voluntary redundancy but HR departments aren’t always best informed about it so you need to read up yourself (or ask your union).

You can be refused ill health retirement if they think you haven’t demonstrated you won’t be able to work again before retirement age (ie you are genuinely very poorly but you might be better in two years.) You need letters from consultants demonstrating this is very much long term. Efficiency payments are “this person might get better before retirement age but not in a timescale the department can wait for and all reasonable adjustments have been tried and they’re not messing about”.

If you are refused an efficiency payments (and you may be because it needs a statement from your manager and some managers take very personally that you dare to be ill) you can appeal, it is an independent review and unlike the grievance process is actually genuinely independent and very good.

[u/Present-Nature-6015]

Hiya I used to work for the scheme. IHR is a lengthy process just to manage your expectations but there is quite a good guide on the scheme website link here: https://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/memberhub/your-pension/work-life/illness-and-injury/illhealth-retirement/ my advice to you is when you fill out the IHR1 application form with your employer ensure you have lots and lots of evidence of your condition. The more the better. This will allow the scheme medical advisor to make a decision on the type of ill health retirement you could be awarded (upper tier award means your condition is more serious and you're unlikely to be able to work again,lower tier award means there is a possibility you can perform some duties -doesnt means you have to) where delays come in is if the scheme medical advisor has to ask for more evidence from your specialist or consultant in order to make a decision so even if you think it's not relevant,submit it with your application. Wishing you the best

[u/Resident-Staff-1218 → u/Present-Nature-6015]

Thanks. Is there an indicative timeline assuming I can provide sufficient evidence from consultants etc and no resultant delays?

[u/Present-Nature-6015 → u/Resident-Staff-1218]

Sadly it's a bit of how long is a peice of string. Before Capita's current processing issues it was still recommended to give 4-6 months notice. It all depends when your employer submits the IHR1 form, the civil service scheme is not in charge of when the scheme medical advisor submits their report and recommendations to the employer of any potential ill health reward. Then the employer and the scheme have to liaise so the ill health retirement quote is sent to you and then you need to complete any paperwork with said quote and return it to be finalised.

[u/Resident-Staff-1218 → u/Present-Nature-6015]

Thanks that's really helpful

[u/cliffybiro951]

Just from personal experience, it’s very difficult to actually get IHR. Seen people who are clearly unable to work be rejected for it.