Have you taken ill health retirement in 40s

[LordFarquart38]

I'm struggling to decide whether IHR is right for me and am looking for perspectives on it, from those who have taken it.

For context, I'm early 40s, diagnosed with MS for 7 years and my mobility, pain and fatigue issues are getting worse, and I increasingly have brain fog, memory problems and trouble concentrating and making decisions.

I've been on long term sick for over 8 months with depression. I have two young DC with additional needs, who need lots from me (understandably of course) and I'm due to return to my civil service job soon and have no idea if I can manage. I've had all the reasonable adjustments I can have, I've taken a demotion and cut my hours right down. I work exclusively from home. I don't line manage now.

I do qualify for PIP which helps, and could manage on a pension. I'm aware I'd need assessing and a decision would be made based on that, but I'm finding it hard to know if now is the time to start the process, or am I just having a wobble..

No really useful insight. My mum retired due to ill health in her 40s due to arthritis and a number of other serious issues.

I remember her doctor strongly encouraging her not to stop working altogether, but she was in so much pain she was bedridden for most of the day. It was the right choice for her. She lived a much better life as a result. The medication is much better now so she can do more now than she could back then even though her health conditions have got a lot worse.

I think she found a number of things hard to navigate but particularly that she had to build a social life for during the daytime when her own age group were still working so she made friends or stronger friendships with much older people.

She also tried to do more than her health really allowed to start with and over committed to doing a lot of things

What do the health professionals you work with say? They probably have the best information to be able to help you

I have a member of staff going through this at the moment (NHS, so likely a similar policy). If you are seriously considering it you will be at a detriment if you go back to work ( unless there is a pay related issue that means you have to go back). It is nigh on impossible in my place to get IHR unless you are LTS with no possibility of returning to work and your employer is unable to make any further adjustments to enable you to do so. Are you being managed through an attendance management process including stage meetings that will lead to a Final Attendance Review? After 8 months I would be looking to help you exit the company if you weren't likely to improve, and it sounds that way. I don't mean that in a harsh way, just if you can leave and draw down some of your benefits it helps you and it helps your employer as they can hire.

I have chaired final attendance cases where I've terminated employment due to capability because of ill health and it is sad every time as even if the staff member knows they'll never be able to do their job again it is very final, hearing someone tell you that. On three of the last four occasions the person had gone on to successfully apply for IHR. But they needed that FAR process first

Yes I did, for reasons of continuing poor mental health

It is really difficult to get Ill health retirement these days, as the cost to employers is quite prohibitive and the terms quite restrictive. In my last organisation the only option was to use voluntary redundancy with a settlement Agreement and unless you were over 50/55 there was no option for an early pension payment.

thank you, that's a helpful insight. Yes, the reason I need to go back is that I'm almost at nil pay. I'd have a 6 week phase return which I think would probably be the decider, as I initially went off when it became clear I wasn't coping and nothing has changed or improved.

there does seem to be provision in the civil service, especially on the pension scheme I'm in, so I'd hope they would honour it, but I guess it comes down to assessment etc

I'm due to have an occupational health appointment soon so I'll see, but my most recent report talked about 'if' I returned to work rather than when

I hope she's doing OK at the moment, thanks for the insight

are you feeling better for it? hope so

I did, from NHS in 2018, also because of MS. It was totally the right decision for me and my family.

A big chance in regards to money as I was the main breadwinner, but I knew I couldn't go on - I have progressive ms. I had to work through the system with reasonable adjustments and time off sick.

So the Civil Service Pension Scheme has an ill health early retirement provision (and it’s very generous). There are two tiers - lower which is you can’t do your job but could do another and higher which is can’t do any job (the higher one gets reviewed every 5 years).

OP I know 2 people in early 50s who got on MH grounds. One had an uphill struggle - other didn’t. I imagine given you have a 7 year diagnosis of MS you probably would not have an uphill struggle (are your department encouraging? My friend who got it quickly his department wanted to get rid of him so they could get a new employee).

The Scheme does allow re-employment (they will just abate your pension) and people sometimes go from higher tier to lower. The problem you would probably have with MS (unless you have relapsing-remitting) is arguing your health had improved they should re-employ.

OP are you in a union I would speak to them about your options?

I don’t think there’s a wrong or right answer.I think if you do retire I would be ensuring you have a good structure to your day to help your depression. I would be looking for local groups so you don’t end up isolated.

I hope it has made a positive change to your life

thanks, yes I think the actual terms of CS IHR are very good, and I've been there almost 25 years, working after diagnosis despite significant pain and fatigue.
I think my dept would be glad for me to go if I'm perfectly honest, my caring responsibilities on top of my disability have turned me from a reliable, roll up sleeves and get stuck in type, to someone who can basically do the bare minimum and some days not even that.

edited to say I do plan on speaking to the union as well

thanks

Best of luck, I hope it all goes smoothly for you

How did it go OP?