To wish I had never bothered with a private pension?

[morage]

I have been paying into a Local Authority pension since I was 22 years of age. I have been for most of the time low paid, so my pension will not be high. I also can't draw it out until state retirement age.

At 22 I thought the pension I got would be small, but that it would top up my state pension and so make my life nicer. However, there is so much talk about abolishing the state pension. If that happens, they will still have to give some money to pensioners who have no savings, they can't let them starve.

I foresee that I will end up no better off on my small local authority pension, than I would have if I hadn't paid into it, and instead took whatever benefits are available.

Goosey, I think you are quoting the current LGPS. I think Op might be on the old scheme, and personally I struggled to find information about that on-line. (Op, you can check that yourself easily, look it up on-line, it gives the dates when the scheme changed). That's why I've suggested that Op speaks to the union, and is clear about the age of her pension.
I had not been dismissed by my employer on ill-health grounds.
I am able to undertake some gainful employment, just not the employment I was in at the end of that pension (because it aggravated the medical condition).
I have accessed my full pension benefits, including the lump sum, on ill health grounds.
I'd talk to the union about this, and the fact that you've reduced your hours because you've been unable to continue to do your job full time. Could you have applied then I wonder? The union will be able to help, as will your pensions department.

Thank you. Yes I am on my old pensions scheme. It isn't only my current job I would struggle with, I would struggle with any job. I don't think it is possible to get a more flexible job than I currently have.

Well Morage. What's the worst that can happen? Nothing, but worth digging a bit. I worked in a county council on the LGPS, so hoping we're on the same scheme! I've related how I finally benefited from 23 years of contributions

On the other hand maybe this TAAT will bring about a positive for you. Nothing ventured nothing gained. Good luck, it's horrible struggling to work when your body lets you down. x