ill health retirement due to cancer ***Title edited by MNHQ for clarity***

[Enigma52]

Has anyone gone through the process of applying for ill health retirement due to cancer?

If so, what was your experience please?

Thanks.

I think it would be difficult to argue that it’s a permanent change in health tbh but interested in hearing responses.

At what age?

Why do you need to argue it - am I missing something?

Have dealt with several (HR) but never seen one agreed for something not permanent.

No, but it could be better to apply for ill health retirement based on the symptoms themselves, rather than putting menopause? I do understand that menopause can be extremely nasty. It was for me. But people in general may not.

For Ill health retirement you would need occupational health and HR support for your case which would be based on a permanent and untreatable health issue or disability which prevents you from doing your job. So in your situation it depends on whether you can get that support, if your health is likely to improve (given menopause is usually completed at some point), what treatment you can have, what reasonable adjustments are or could be put in place.

Not menopause but I've dealt with many people going through ill health retirement.
If you are trying to get your pension early on health grounds then you will often have to satisfy the pension company medical advisor that you meet the criteria.
So if you are eg 52 and you would normally get your company pension at 65 they will usually want evidence that this is a long term condition which will not improve.

Sorry meant to add your first port of call would be HR to find out the process, get the forms etc.
Then you will probably need reports from your specialist about how it affects your ability to do your job and that they do not expect significant improvement

Have you requested any reasonable adjustments or taken time off due to menopause.
I think for ill health retirement you'd need to evidence it would be a permanent negative impact on your life, affecting your ability to work.
I do sympathise though if your symptoms are so severe you'd like early retirement.

Thanks for your input.
Aged 54, diagnosed with metastatic BC and on permanent treatment now. One medication increases menopause symptoms greatly and I am struggling with fatigue and cognitive issues. The other drug Judy wipes me out at the end of each cycle.

I am struggling to get up ( after poor sleep) and be ready for work each day. I am exhausted.

Sorry, I'm 53! 🙈🙈

OK so sounds like a"permanent " health situation for you. Are you looking at taking an occupational pension early on health grounds? I have experience of this with an NHS pension, and the pension scheme has a system for assessing ill health retirement that requires medical support for the claim, occupational health support etc. so it depends on your individual employment and pension arrangements.

Ill health retirement is a very generous and very expensive benefit.

I wouldn't have thought it would be awarded for menopause as menopause symptoms will cease.

However long-term effects of cancer treatment would be much more likely to be considered, so I'd go with that angle.

Yes, ill health retirement, claiming the pension I would have received, had I worked until 67. Im in a LGPS. The forecast isn't great, but it will be something ( along with my PIP).

sorry to hear about your health. Would you not be better applying on the grounds of your primary diagnosis?

The other thing to be aware of OP, and apologies for being negative but it's something everyone needs to be aware of - if you retire you will lose your death in service benefits. So you would need to weigh up the pros and cons of finishing work and getting your lump sum etc now, Vs carrying on with sick leave and reasonable adjustments and then your family receiving a multiple of your salary plus pension (possibly more generous).

Just had a look, it seems there are 3 tiers to ill health retirement. I need to study it carefully. My partner and children will not get death in service grant though (obviously). Maybe I need to drop another day.

Will try to work it all out over time.

My primary was 15 years ago. Secondary was a year ago.

Yes, this is something else I've considered. It's trying to work out what is best for all involved.

Apologies, I didn’t mean your primary cancer.. I was wondering why you couldn’t apply for IHR because of metastatic cancer. Sorry, my first post was unclear.

With LGPS there are 3 tiers of ill health retirement. You’ll only get your full pension (tier 1) if you have evidence form consultants that your condition is permanent & all treatments have been tried. That’s unlikely for menopause. You may get tier 2 or 3 though.

I would ask for your thread title to be changed. It's really odd to frame this as a menopause issue rather than a cancer one first and foremost.

OP first of all I’m so so sorry to hear about your health battles
But secondly, you don’t need to apply for ill health retirement due to menopause. You can take it due to your BC diagnosis. Have you also got critical illness cover with work? Take everything you possibly can, speak to HR

@MeowCatPleaseMeowBack yes I realise that now. They are all interlinked.

I understand, but lots of posters don't bother to read beyond the opening post and you'll get replies assuming it's just menopause. If you report the thread and ask, mn will change the title.

Good luck with everything

@MeowCatPleaseMeowBack thanks 👍