Scared and confused

Bmw

Can anybody help us please.
My husband has been diagnosed with Huntington's Disease.
He is currently on sick leave from work and in reality will never return.
His employers provide an income protection scheme through UNUM which will pay 66% of his salary when he no longer qualifies for sick pay until normal retirement at 65. He is 52. He will continue to be employed.
My question relates to pensions earned with previous employers.
We wish to apply for early release on the grounds of ill health which is supported by our GP.
Would UNUM be allowed to reduce their payment to us because of this extra income?
Any advice would be gratefully recieved.
Thankyou

bigadaj

It depends on the exact details of teh contract so review this or ask your husbands employers or unum what the situation would be.

It shouldn't do in most cases but my understanding was that full payment of pensions was only possible where life expectancy was less than a year. Pensions can obviously be accessed from 55 which isn't far away for your husband but what degree of access and whether there may be penalties for payment before normal scheme age would have to be checked as well.

atush

As far as former pensions are concerned, it looks like your husband's LE is longer than a year so you would not be able to acces them until he reaches his 55th birthday. But you could contact the pension companies to be sure.

As well as work, does he have any separate life assurance? Some of those will pay out early with such a diagnosis.

Also, you need a benefits check and he might be in line for some non means tested benefits and you for a carer's allowance?

Bmw

Hi there, thank you for your advice.
I have checked the contract and all it mentions is other income, for example from "another income protection scheme."
To be honest I cant see that us receiving a pension should have any effect on our claim with Unum, but knowing what insurance companies are like, I want to be ready to do battle if necessary!
With regards to the release of pension early, we are allowed to apply for it early, on health grounds provided the illness "significantly reduces life expectancy,"a statement which is (sadly)supported by our GP.
We are very new to this and agree that we should look into any benefits to which we may be entitled.
My husband has had his driving licence taken away by the DVLA because of his condition .We applied and were granted a freedom pass by our local council allowing him free travel on public transport for which we are very grateful.
I think we may also be entitled to claim PIP ( personal independance payment)as I am having to do more and more for him, so any advice on that front would be really useful.
Thanks again for you help,
BMW

xylophone

I think we may also be entitled to claim PIP

http://hda.org.uk/resources/benefits-finance might have some useful advice.

gterr

If you have a local Citizens Advice Bureau do pop in and get some help from their Welfare Rights team. They can help you fill in the benefit claim forms and check what else you might be entitled to. They may also be able to investigate the pensions/insurance side of things on your behalf.

Mojisola

Have you been in contact with these people - http://hda.org.uk/

It can help a lot to be able to talk with people who are experienced in your specific problems.

BobQ

Bmw wrote: »

We are very new to this and agree that we should look into any benefits to which we may be entitled.
My husband has had his driving licence taken away by the DVLA because of his condition .We applied and were granted a freedom pass by our local council allowing him free travel on public transport for which we are very grateful.

I think we may also be entitled to claim PIP ( personal independance payment)as I am having to do more and more for him, so any advice on that front would be really useful.
Thanks again for you help,
BMW

While you may be able to get advice on this thread (ie Pensions), you may get more on Disability Benefits thread. Maybe separate out this issue and post there?

Bmw

Thanks to you all for your replies.
We are in touch with the HDA already but have used them mainly for moral rather than financial support, they have been wonderful .
Still so much to think about. This condition means a slow deterioration and almost certain residential care, another major worry. All we ever wanted to do was work hard and provide for our Kids, 21 and 24. Very scared that we will lose their inheritance through care fees, any advice on that issue. We have 9 years left on our mortgage of approx £95k. Covered by life insurance for both of us. Husband is very likely to survive beyond then but will almost certainly be in residential care by then. Help!

atush

Dont be afraid of losing any supposed inheritance. That is a new thing, and not to be counted on. Inheritance is for those who have more than they require.

If you require it for yours or your OH, that isn't their inheritance. It is your life you need to live. I agree if you have young children there might be a problem, but not with those 21 and over.

In any case, half what the 2 of you have is yours and cannot be touched. So they can inherit that once you are gone. If you haven't spent it living your own life.

Mojisola

Bmw wrote: »

This condition means a slow deterioration and almost certain residential care, another major worry.

All we ever wanted to do was work hard and provide for our Kids, 21 and 24. Very scared that we will lose their inheritance through care fees, any advice on that issue.

We have 9 years left on our mortgage of approx £95k. Covered by life insurance for both of us. Husband is very likely to survive beyond then but will almost certainly be in residential care by then.

When one spouse goes into residential care but the other stays in the family home, the value of the home is not taken into account when assessing his/her ability to pay so don't worry about losing your home.