NHS retirement due to sickness

[paulhollywoodshairgel]

Hi. I am considering retiring due to illness from the NHS. I have worked in the same job for 23 years but have only been paying into my pension for 5 years. This was due to my own stupidity. Has anyone ever done this? Any advice?

Are you hoping to get Medical retirement from the NHS? If so, my experience of medical retirement, from a HR perspective, is that it is not an easy process, takes considerable time and needs good supporting medical evidence.

Before taking this step you need to consider what actions you and your employer have taken to help you manage your illness, is there anything else that they/you could do? Is your illness something that would be covered by the Disability Discrimination Act? Have you asked for reasonable adjustments? Could you change roles to help you manage the situation? Etc.

If agreed, Medical retirement allows you to access your pension early because of poor health. You say that you have only been contributing to your pension scheme for five years, if that is the case, your pension is unlikely to be high, even if it is enhanced. Do you have a private income protection plan? Have you considered what state benefits you may be eligible for?

Is it worth having a discussion with HR and getting their advice? I have found them to be helpful.