After Ill Health Retirement - NI Contributions

Transformers

I'm about to go through the signing off process from my job of the last 30 years and will receive an ill health retirement pension.

I'm confused about what happens after that.

Will I have to 'sign on' for ESA even though I have been medically retired? How will I ensure my NI contributions are kept up to date so that I can eventually get my state pension?

I'd appreciate any help or pointers.

Thanks

atush

I am not sure about the process, ask on the benefits forum.

but if you are getting benefits and are below SPA, you will get NIC credits.

Get a forecast to see if you have the 35 years required?

greenglide

Being "medically retired" does not, in itself, get you NI credits.

If you need NI credits to get you more state pension then you would need to claim some benefits, presumably ESA.

Even if your pension precludes you getting any money from it (means tested benefit) if you are deemed unable to work (like the old "all work test") you would get NI credits while if you are deemed able to work you would not unless you were deemed to be "seeking work" (the old "other occupation test").

Bethie71

Hi,
I am going through the same ill health retirement process after 20 odd years in NHS. You can apply for ESA now if you wanted to, it's seperate from the ill health retirement process (are you NHS, or some other pension?) The ESA have there own criterior to working out if you qualify or not, it's certainly worth applying as you have nothing to lose. I think they may reduce the amount of ESA you get depending on what pension you get and what ESA group your put in. You will then get your NI credits. How far down the ill health process have you got??? I have now been dismissed on health grounds, and occupational health have just posted my form to pensions a week ago....I have my fingers crossed they say yes,
Regards B

xylophone

https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-credits/eligibility

Check with the Jobcentre.

burstcouch1

Transformers. I am confused by the fact your signing off from your job and then automatically get the ill health retirement. I am currently applying for mine. I left the job 3 years ago.


Being ill at work or dismissed due to illness does not in itself guarantee you an ill health retirement pension

burstcouch1

Bethie71 wrote: »

Hi,
I am going through the same ill health retirement process after 20 odd years in NHS. You can apply for ESA now if you wanted to, it's seperate from the ill health retirement process (are you NHS, or some other pension?) The ESA have there own criterior to working out if you qualify or not, it's certainly worth applying as you have nothing to lose. I think they may reduce the amount of ESA you get depending on what pension you get and what ESA group your put in. You will then get your NI credits. How far down the ill health process have you got??? I have now been dismissed on health grounds, and occupational health have just posted my form to pensions a week ago....I have my fingers crossed they say yes,
Regards B

.
Hope your successful. My application was 6 months ago and still being considered. Are you looking for Tier 1 or Tier 2?

Bethie71

Hiya Burstcouch1
Sorry for delay, I didn't see your message.
Well....I am still waiting! I got a letter last week from nhs pensions saying they are writing to my consultant to ask him the same questions my occupational health department asked in January...very frustrating!!! My consultant has just written a useless report (even worse than the one he wrote the first time!) so I feel I may be lucky to receive a tier 1. As Occy health didn't allow me to see the section C of the application form, I am not sure if I was recommended for 1 or 2. To be honest I have felt the whole process has been a major headache....I too started the application 5 months ago.
Have you had any luck yet?

burstcouch1

Hi Bethie, am afraid I have not heard anything I know my GP and my consultant sent in the required letter asked for/ I chose not to see them beforehand, however, I did meet with my psychiatrist before she done the letter to discuss the contents.
By the way Occup health have no right to not let you see the section they have filled in without your consent, so that is wrong in the first place.


I contacted them last week by phone as I know the psychiatrist secretary faxed the letter 2 weeks ago. so far they haven't allocated it to a medical person to make a final decision. What bugs me the most. I would have got my pension at 55, last year, but no because I have not been working for the final 2 years before my 55th birthday because I was sick I have to wait till I am 60, hence the reason I am applying now. Its my money. I can't believe it takes so long. I have been on ESA now since April 2012. I left work in March 2012.

Bethie71

Hiya, I really feel for you. You must be so frustrated about not getting your pension at 55, which is why it seems injust that you are having to fight now, because you would have had it anyway??!! All of this waiting is really stressful isn't it.....I feel like I am on a knife edge all the time! Fingers crossed we both get awarded it and life can settle down a bit :-) keep me posted xx

Transformers

Transformers wrote: »

I'm about to go through the signing off process from my job of the last 30 years and will receive an ill health retirement pension.

burstcouch1 wrote: »

Transformers. I am confused by the fact your signing off from your job and then automatically get the ill health retirement. I am currently applying for mine. I left the job 3 years ago.


Being ill at work or dismissed due to illness does not in itself guarantee you an ill health retirement pension

Why the confusion? As I have said, I am leaving work and will receive an ill health retirement pension. I did not suggest this was an 'automatic' move. I was employed, I became too ill to continue, I applied for IHR, I was approved, I then left employment - hence the query about future NI contributions.

Having spoken with DWP, I have been told not to make any voluntary NI contributions before the pension changes next year but to apply for ESA (contributions based) in order to get the 'stamp' for this year - even though my IHR monthly pension means that the ESA will be reduced to a zero payment.

They are currently unclear about the position for next year as they are waiting on the finer details.

As an aside, have you contacted this organisation about your delays? They may be able to advise:

http://www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk/pension-problems/making-a-complaint/how-we-can-help