early retirement through ill health

pammy1_2

Hi

My husband has not worked since 2001, but has not claimed any income benefits as I work full time. Therefore his insurance credits have not been paid for this period of time, although when checking the government gateway site it did say he had accrued enough for his retirement pension.
Earlier this year my husband was diagnosed with cancer and receives high rate DLA on both care and mobility. His prognosis is not good and he has a life expectancy of less than 6 months. He is currently 56 years old. Can you let me know if he is entitled to claim his 'retirement' pension now.

EdInvestor

No, he cannot claim pension until retirement age (65), pension credit applies only from age 60.

How about ESA (aka incapacity benefit)?

MikeJones_2

Hi pammy1,

Sorry to hear of your husband's illness.

If he has any none State Pension benefits (e.g. a personal pension or pension from a company pension scheme) he may be able to draw the entire pension benefit (subject to tax) under what is called 'serious ill health'.

Let us know if he has, and we'll place links to various sources of information.

Mike

I work in the field of Pension Education and Pension Guidance in the UK. I am a member of the Specialist Pensions Forum as well as being a Voluntary Adviser for The Pensions Advisory Service. I work with scheme members, employers, trustees, scheme administrators and advisers on most things to do with employer sponsored pension schemes. The views expressed by me in this thread are my personal opinions. You should seek professional advice from an appropriately experienced and qualified adviser. I am not an IFA.