Lgps

aliavavodka

I have a pension with lgps, after having surgery on my spine, I have been left with problems with my legs, and hands,my workplace are making me redundant. if i cannot return to full time work, can I claim my pension due to ill health? I'm 50
Many thanks Alison

molerat

https://www.lgpsmember.org/tol/thinking-leaving-illhealth.php

Silvertabby

I have a pension with lgps, after having surgery on my spine, I have been left with problems with my legs, and hands,my workplace are making me redundant. if i cannot return to full time work, can I claim my pension due to ill health? I'm 50
Many thanks Alison

You can't be made redundant on the grounds of ill health - it's either one or the other.

If you are made redundant because your job no longer exists, then your LGPS pension will be deferred as the earliest you can claim it on redundancy terms under the age of 55.

If you are granted retirement on ill health grounds, however, (see molerat's link) then you would receive your pension straight away regardless of age.

Have you asked if you can be considered for ill health retirement?

aliavavodka

Also, if i can claim my pension this way, I would be forfeiting my redundancy pay. Could I still have the lump sum from the pension?

Many thanks Alison

aliavavodka

I haven't asked, but I am thinking it through, as my health is starting to decline, I was hoping I would get better, take my redundancy and find a job, but I know now that I would only be able to work part time at the most.

Silvertabby

Also, if i can claim my pension this way, I would be forfeiting my redundancy pay. Could I still have the lump sum from the pension?

Many thanks Alison

You won't get get both - you'll either be made redundant or you'll retire on ill health grounds.

If ill health then, depending on which tier you are granted, you may get an enhancement. You will then have the option of giving up some of your pension for a one-off tax free lump sum - but as the commutation rate of 1:12 isn't particularly generous, think long and hard before making this decision.

However, we're getting ahead of ourselves here. The choice of redundancy or ill health retirement isn't yours to make - only your employer can say if (a) your job no longer exists or (b) if your job will continue, but will be beyond your physical capabilities hence the consideration for ill health retirement.

Silvertabby

I haven't asked, but I am thinking it through, as my health is starting to decline, I was hoping I would get better, take my redundancy and find a job, but I know now that I would only be able to work part time at the most.

Crossed in posting... Have you definitely been offered redundancy? It wouldn't hurt to ask about ill health retirement instead.

aliavavodka

Silvertabby wrote: »

Crossed in posting... Have you definitely been offered redundancy? It wouldn't hurt to ask about ill health retirement instead.

Yes, my post is being made redundant, very bad timing for me as I've just returned to work on reduced duties after 6 months sick.
I've been back 6 weeks and only worked 1 full week, used holidays as rest days.

aliavavodka

molerat wrote: »

https://www.lgpsmember.org/tol/thinking-leaving-illhealth.php

This link mention gainful employment being 30 hours a week, now I know I can't do 30, will this mean I can claim?
How do I prove this?

Many thanks Alison

Silvertabby

“

https://www.lgpsmember.org/tol/thinking-leaving-illhealth.php
Originally posted by molerat ”

This link mention gainful employment being 30 hours a week, now I know I can't do 30, will this mean I can claim?
How do I prove this?

Many thanks Alison

You need to ask your employer (not the LGPS) to start the procedure for ill health retirement. This is done by your Occupational Health team, and will include a medical exam by an Occ Health approved Dr. It's the Dr who will then say if you are entitled to ill health retirement, and at what level.

Silvertabby

Yes, my post is being made redundant, very bad timing for me as I've just returned to work on reduced duties after 6 months sick.
I've been back 6 weeks and only worked 1 full week, used holidays as rest days.

If you don't meet the criteria for ill health retirement at the moment, and are made redundant instead, then your LGPS benefits would be deferred until at least age 55.

However, if your health were to deteriorate, then you could ask for your deferred benefits to be brought into payment on ill health grounds before 55. There wouldn't be any enhancement payable, but your benefits wouldn't be reduced for early payment.

Don't let your HR fob you off with 'you are being made redundant - end of' - you are entitled to ask for an ill health referral to Occ Health.