Lgps

aliavavodka

The union have asked for an enhanced redundancy package, now I know I won't get this.
She also asked if I could be considered for ill health.
I should find out Monday.
The problem I have is, my pension pot isn't large, so won't be much per month, and I would loose my redundancy payment if this is the route they take.
So perhaps I should take the £6000 redundancy, and hope I find a part time job which I could do with restrictions.

Silvertabby

The union have asked for an enhanced redundancy package, now I know I won't get this.
She also asked if I could be considered for ill health.
I should find out Monday.
The problem I have is, my pension pot isn't large, so won't be much per month, and I would loose my redundancy payment if this is the route they take.
So perhaps I should take the £6000 redundancy, and hope I find a part time job which I could do with restrictions.

How old are you? If you are given Tier 1 ill health (and I must stress that this cannot be guaranteed) then your pensionable service would be enhanced to your normal retirement age (same as your State pension age). Tier 2 is a lesser enhancement of 25% (ie, if you have 20 years to go, then you'd get 5 years enhancement instead of the full 20 years with tier 1).

If you are not granted ill health could you still get redundancy? A question for Monday.

Hope it goes well for you.

Edit: Just noticed that you are 50, so you would get 17 years enhancement with Tier 1, 4.25 years with Tier 2. In either case, your pension would be paid immediately with no early payment reductions, and you would be able to give up some of your pension for a tax free lump sum.

aliavavodka

Apparently ill health isn't an option for me, who decided I have no idea.
I am now working 3 days a week instead of 5 and limited duties, due to the fit note issued by my Dr for cervical myelopathy ( she wanted me to go sick, but I need the money, and would be on half pay for sick)
But hey, I've only 6 weeks till I'm redundant.

Alison

Silvertabby

Sorry it didn't work out for you.

Don't forget that if your condition deteriorates in the future you may be able to get your deferred pension brought into payment on ill health (from deferment) grounds. No enhancement, but with the benefit of no reduction for early payment.

Best wishes.

aliavavodka

I can't believe my workplace, a university, is being so unreasonable!!! Even garden leave has been refused!!! They don't mind me having 2 days sick a week, and have taken all duties off me, but I still have to come into work, despite having to use a crutch to walk!!! After 29 years service, I'm now becoming very bitter about this treatment

Alison

molerat

Something has to give so that senior staff can get multi £00K payouts.

woolly_wombat

OP I don't like the sound of this 'redundancy', or the way you are being treated by your employer at all.

Have a look through this old thread:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5116933

Specifically:

• #5. Hyubh detailed all the appeals procedures that may be necessary if you decide to go down that route.
• #10. Hyubh noted that "a sizeable fraction of complaints the Pensions Ombudsman deals with are to do with LGPS ill health decisions" and provided a link to Pensions Ombudsman LGPS ill health determinations.
  
  

aliavavodka

Thanks for the info, I will look through it later.
My union rep has advised me to take the redundancy, and at a later date claim my pension through ill health. As I don't know what this means to my pension pot, I've no idea what to do. £6700 as a redundancy lump, or loose it to claim a pension which could be substantially less. I see my surgeon on the 18th Dec, so I will have 4 days to decide.

Many thanks Alison

Happier_Me

Hi OP

I am no expert on this but I too think this all sounds underhanded. Were you actually assessed by occupational health and they determined you were not a suitable candidate for ill health retirement? I am fairly certain a manager or HR can't just make this decision without an independent medical assessment.

I would seek legal advice regarding this. Do you have legal cover on your house insurance? You may be able to get advice free via this route

It is really important you do this now before you accept antthing because your ill health pension could be enhanced up to your NPA depending on the tier awarded, whereas I don't think this enhancement takes place if you are a deferred member.

I would read up on the scheme and the criteria for each tier and share this with your consultant at your next meeting for his opinion on your capability to do your job.

aliavavodka

I have not had an occupational health assessment, just been told repeatedly that I don't qualify for ill health pension, my union representative also said the lower tear, would not benefit me as my redundancy payment would be more.
I will take documents to my appointment on Monday, see what my surgeon says.
On the lgps, it states gainful employment being 30 hours a week, I mentioned this to the union, and they said it doesn't mean anything, and it won't help me.