Pre Retirement plans...what should I ask?

tanith

Hi All, I have just applied for an illhealth retirement pension (NHS) and have spoken to HR who are arranging a meeting with me to discuss this shortly. I think the process from application can take from 2 to 6 mths depending on wether the trustees agree to it or not... The Occy Health Doc says that he thinks I have a good case as I am unable physically to carry on with my present job..

During the conversation to update HR with events at my App with the Occupational Health Doc, he (HR) said to me several times " if thats what you want to do", I just wonder why he was asking me this as he knows perfectly well that I was willing to carry on working if they found me something suitable , the only thing they offered me was unacceptable. The one good thing I found out was I go straight back onto full pay (my half-pay runs out in 3mths) as soon as they get my application thank goodness which at least gives me a few months to adjust..

Are there any questions I should be asking ? I have already got a pension forecast in the pipeline ( both works and state pensions) . are they obliged to provide me with some sort of Pre Retirement Course?

I had got no plans to retire 2yrs early I am 58 and will have to get some sort of part time work to boost my meagre pension... will there be any restrictions on my part-time working ?

I am getting very nervous about it all to be honest and the thought of no pay packet at the end of the month is a frightening thought.. also the thought of having to apply for jobs , something I haven't done in nearly 20 yrs . OH thinks I am fine with all this so I am really keeping my worries to myself as whats the point of both of us worrying.... I have asked some questions already here but new ones keep popping into my head all the time.. what about this? suppose this happens? what if ? can I ? can't I ? I don't seem to be able to stop all this wondering....

Sorry if I am rambling...:eek:
Thanks for any thoughts ...:A

tanith

EdInvestor

Have you spoken to your union rep about whether or not you can be obliged ( more or less) to take this early retirement?

tanith

I have spoken to the Rep briefly and he will hopefully (last time we made an arrangement he couldn't make it) be with me at the meeting , and we will be having a chance to talk before the meeting..

I can just hang on and hope they find me something suitable but I am worried about the time scale here , as my sick pay will run out within a few months and I will then have no pay coming in ... in fact I have got to the stage having been on sick pay for 6mths that I really would rather leave than feel that I am a pain in the !!!!!! who is just begging for a job , any job...

Just reread this and I appear to be contradicting myself about leaving , but I just feel that I am someone that they would really rather would just go quietly ................