Civil Service Ill-Health Pension - Classic/alpha

ste.j419

Tryin to do good haha u are doin good really u are ... hearing from you that both elements get paid is such a relief because not one of the managers has been able to comfirm that ---

I expected during the meeting for IHR they would explain exactly what i would get on IHR pension payout and then give me the option of IHR pension payments or lump sum compensation , but no - the letters from the meeting agree and approve the IHR but as far as i can tell they're processing the lump sum payment which is expected to hit my account within a month or so - line manager said after the meeting that the IHR can be processed afterwards and then when it's finalised i pay back the lump sum ?? i'd hate to think i'm unwittingly accepting a lumpsum to then find i can't claim the IHR - call me cynical but 20+ years in the job can do that to u !! Slightly weary and untrusting i may be - but this is a massive part of my financial future we're talking about ---- does this process sound familiar to you ? - was that ur experience ? - how long ago did urs get completed ?

Haha and yea i'd be amazed to if i were to get both absolutely no chance. Thanks for the advice

Trying_to_be_good

Ah, that makes a bit of sense - they'll offset any compensation they pay you against your pension lump sum as you're only entitled to one of the two, but there may be a delay in processing your pension claim. I managed to arrange my leaving date as my retirement date, so went straight to pension payments. Ish.

I hope you don't have loads of hassle, it's complex with mixed classic and alpha but they should be being used to it!

T30KDH

Hello

I am going through the process of ill health retirement as a result of my ptsd. There has been NO attempt made by my employer with regards to reasonable adjustments, as my manager doesn’t feel I’m fit to work in the civil service any more. I have declared that I would be happy to move roles, but he disagrees and is pushing for me to be IHR. I served with the army and that’s where my ptsd comes from, I now work for a government departure who have great knowledge of armed forces ptsd, and I’m simply being looked over. There has been no mention of the equality act 2010. All my employer is doing, is forcing my hand to retire.
I have been paying in to my pension since 19, I’m now 35. Where do I stand in all this?

Trying_to_be_good

As you joined the pension scheme after 2012, the age discrimination identified here doesn’t apply for your Civil Service employment. Sounds like you have a different issue if not wanting to be ill-health retired, your union will help you fight that, or a private lawyer or maybe a charity.

If you were medically discharged after 2015 and were serving in 2012 this case may affect your Armed Forces Pension.

Foursquare29

Hi All
I have been signed off sick for over 2 years but still on my employers books.
I applied for I'll health retirement but have been rejected on grounds of permanency. I am likely to be signed off again until early 2021.

I thought I would be assessed against classic criteria (permanency means age 60 and unable to do my HEO job). I was assessed against alpha (permanency state pension age 67 and unable to do own or comparable job).
I have medical evidence from my employers medical people prior to I'll health application stating I could only do a menial job such as stocking shelves in a supermarket! 
My employer mentioned a less stressful job at a lower level. My csp said I would be much worse off as my final salary classic pension (1982 to late 2017) would be assessed against a significantly lower final salary.

I have queried why I was assessed against alpha. I'll health qualifying conditions state must be in a scheme for at least 2 years. Even including sick pay I have NOT been in alpha for 2 years. For the past year I have zero salary. However initial response not encouraging, suggests once in alpha immediately move to its criteria.

I have a feeling I may be about to be sacked for capability reasons as unable to do my job. The ill health medical report states I am unable to do my job and suggests I would benefit from access to structured medical management under the care of a psychiatrist/clinical psychologist over a period of time.

Background to I'll health: bullying and harassment in the workplace (case upheld in my favour though it took 9 months to find out). I haf complained prior to my eventual breakdown but senior staff kept moving on and nothing was done. 

The stress got worse after I moved from 5 days to 4 days ie 20% less hours/pay but my job did not change to accommodate reducing hour working.

I am unable to work, zero salary for over a year, I'll health retirement rejected as insufficient evidence of being permanently incapacitated.

What are my options? My boss keeps saying the door is still open to return! Friends reckon I have a good case and should see an employment lawyer.

Many thanks 

Trying_to_be_good

Foursquare29 said:

Hi All
I have been signed off sick for over 2 years but still on my employers books.
I applied for I'll health retirement but have been rejected on grounds of permanency. I am likely to be signed off again until early 2021.

I thought I would be assessed against classic criteria (permanency means age 60 and unable to do my HEO job). I was assessed against alpha (permanency state pension age 67 and unable to do own or comparable job).
The ill health medical report states I am unable to do my job and suggests I would benefit from access to structured medical management under the care of a psychiatrist/clinical psychologist over a period of time.
I am unable to work, zero salary for over a year, I'll health retirement rejected as insufficient evidence of being permanently incapacitated.

What are my options? My boss keeps saying the door is still open to return! Friends reckon I have a good case and should see an employment lawyer.

This thread is about the impact of McCloud and the subsequent remedy. My main “advice” would be to talk to your union/lawyer about the general situation, including the injury benefit scheme as that system tops up a lower salary from part-time/lower grade continuing employment.
You don’t need to have been a member of alpha for two years to be entitled to a pension under alpha as your Classic service is included in the two years. If you’ve been moved to alpha, that’s the scheme that (currently) applies for IHR so that was the right process.
BUT McCloud means you will now be able to choose to be considered under alpha or Classic for a retirement date between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2022. As you know, it’s a different test for each scheme, with a different assumes retirement age.
My situation was similar to yours, bullying at work triggering acute anxiety and despite trying everything, not able to get better. I was awarded IHR under alpha lower tier (not able to do a job of my level between now and age 67). The test for Classic is a lower bar as it’s about doing your own job.

I really hope you do get better and can return to work.

hugheskevi

Foursquare29 said:

My employer mentioned a less stressful job at a lower level. My csp said I would be much worse off as my final salary classic pension (1982 to late 2017) would be assessed against a significantly lower final salary.

I think the person you spoke to has overlooked Rule 3.24 of the Classic scheme rules.
If this is an attractive option for you I suggest contacting MyCSP in writing (not calling) and asking how this rule would apply to your position.

queensclose1

Help needed.  Looking retire on medical grounds with the civil service  But haven’t clue what to due nor has my line manager.  Had two brain tumors removed and lost the use of the left leg after the nerves where cut
taking pain killers because of the pain that cause blurred vision and giddiness and advised not to go out on my own.
because of COVID I’ve been allowed work from home on light duties. Even though the the job don’t exist.
my manager has suggested to retire on medical grounds and emailed me the link with the forms.   After reading them. I think it’s to early to apply.  1] because I’m still working from home. 2] they’ve never looked into anything I can do. Or deploy me
My manager or his manager have never had to deal with this before

My reasons are.  I suffer from anxiety and haven’t been out the house for over a year without\ someone accompanying me. I use a wheelchair.   My communication is slow and slurred  Im now 60

my thinking is to leave it and wait to be ordered back to work the go on the sick and let them apply For the I’ll Heath retirement 
I joined the scheme in 2006
what the difference between just retiring now and retiring on illl health?

any advice as I’m lost what to do 

Trying_to_be_good

The reply above to Foursquare29 might help - you need your Union (assuming you’re a member) and your HR department, plus the booklets on the Civil Service Pensions website.

We can’t give any advice here.

If you can be ill-health retired before April 2022 it could be on Classic terms (if you were a Civil Servant in March 2012), otherwise it’ll be under alpha terms. 

It’s not going to help that they’re currently finding meaningful work for you to do unless that’s definitely going to cease to be the case.

MrsBrooks13

Trying_to_be_good said:

If you can be ill-health retired before April 2022 it could be on Classic terms (if you were a Civil Servant in March 2012), otherwise it’ll be under alpha terms. 

Do you happen to know whether those who qualify under McCloud can chose to be assessed against Classic medical criteria or is everyone assessed against Alpha criteria? Is it is the financial terms which can retrospectively be chosen on Classic or Alpha terms for the 2015-2022 period? 

I am awaiting an OH assessment and will be seeking IHR, but thought I would be assessed on Alpha terms regardless of when the IHR date would be set.