Flex retirement agreed then refused

Cobleyaem

Hi, I am hoping to get some guidance with my situation. Briefly I applied for flex retirement back in June, to take effect after my 55th birthday in Jan 2018. This was formally applied for via my HoS in June and shortly after I was informed it had been agreed by the finance manager etc. As of yesterday I was informed that apparently there was a change in the policy that switches on the 85 year rule for flex retirement, which does apply to me and which I am informed means there will be a cost to my employer (Local Authority) and because of which my HoS now says She can’t agree my flex retirement. This has caused me some considerable worry as I had started planning a couple of years back and it seems that this has been pulled out of the bag. I have had no communication from HR and reading the current policy on the staff portal it states that the LA ‘may’ honor the 85 year rule, I’m confused and quite angryy but don’t know what to do next, I have however requested an appeal meeting which must be done within 5 days but would be eyernally greatful for any clues to questions I should ask, or any similar situationa experienced with the outcomes, whatever they were,
Many thanks in advance!

crv1963

I would ask what the changes are that caused them to rescind the offer after first agreeing to your request and see if there is any room for negotiation, for instance are you using annual leave to reduce your actual time at work?


Next look at your workload - does this need handing over on a gradual basis so in effect having you at work but with no real work to do? Can you have a shortened flexible retirement period to reduce employer costs?


Establish before the meeting if you can take a friend/ colleague or union representative, ask for current up to date policy and if possible get a copy of the previous policy to compare them.


Remain calm even if you feel upset or aggrieved, ask for a short break for 10 minutes to think things over if you are upset or need to buy time to consider what is said.


Best I can think off of the top of my head and not knowing details like area of work, retirement age/ date and length of previously planned flex.


Good luck


CRV

TARDIS

Do you have a union you can talk this through with?

Silvertabby

As of yesterday I was informed that apparently there was a change in the policy that switches on the 85 year rule for flex retirement, which does apply to me and which I am informed means there will be a cost to my employer (Local Authority)

Rubbish - this rule has been in place since flexible retirement was first introduced years ago - your HR just didn't bother reading all the facts at the time, and now have been caught out.

It's complicated because of the R85 transitional rules but, basically, it means that if your employer approves flexible retirement before the age of 60, then the cost of NOT reducing your pension up to the age of 60 (and depending on your level of R85 protections) MUST be met by your employer. Early retirement reductions that apply from age 60 will be met by yourself.

Your HR must have come across this before now - but I'm guessing that you must be on an above average salary, plus your young (in pensions speak) age meaning that the employer costs are quite substantial.

phil1959

I feel for you , my request FR is unlikely to happen aged 58 salary £20130 capital cost 18000.Can you get a quote without FR there was not much difference in mine.


Maz

Silvertabby

I feel for you , my request FR is unlikely to happen aged 58 salary £20130 capital cost 18000.Can you get a quote without FR there was not much difference in mine. Posted by phil1959

There'll be a much bigger difference in OP's quotes as he/she is going 5 years before 60.

Cobleyaem

Thanks for the replies, I have spoken today with my pension team and it does seem that my initial request was agreed because my service head did not realise there would be a cost to the service at the time, and has now tried to retract that it was agreed at all because I was only ‘verbally’ informed to me that it had been successful. I’m not in Unison so I guess it would be prudent to join, I’m also going to seek some independent support for the appeal meeting, though my experience of HR is that they will support the bussiness not me!

atilla

Cobleyaem wrote: »

Thanks for the replies, I have spoken today with my pension team and it does seem that my initial request was agreed because my service head did not realise there would be a cost to the service at the time, and has now tried to retract that it was agreed at all because I was only ‘verbally’ informed to me that it had been successful. I’m not in Unison so I guess it would be prudent to join, I’m also going to seek some independent support for the appeal meeting, though my experience of HR is that they will support the bussiness not me!

I'd get that union membership signed up forthwith.
Your service head isn't going to be happy he/she cocked up, you challenged etc. Difficult working relationship on the cards from now on i'd say.

greatkingrat

Generally unions won't represent you unless you were already a member, you can't just join after you encounter a problem.

badmemory

Although they may if it looks like being a generic problem. But not if it just looks like your's.