NHS Permanent Injury Benefit query

Gin_and_Milk

Hi,

In 2008 my husband had to retire from the NHS due to an incident at work, which meant that not only was he able to take his pension early, but because of the circumstances, he was also awarded PIB. We've been talking about the option of me retiring in 10 years when I will be 55, but I've explained that this is not financially viable, as should he go before me, I wouldn't have enough income, even though I would be entitled to some of his pension. He is only 58, but in poor health.

He told me that I would also be entitled to half of his PIB, but I don't think he's right on this one. He told me last night that all the relevant paperwork is in the loft and that I should have a look through whilst he is in hospital (he was admitted today for what should be a fairly straightforward operation). Well I've been in the loft (of which I'm terrified), only to find that it looks as though a bomb has dropped, and I think it's going to take quite some time to find any sort of paperwork, never mind relevant paperwork.

My question is, does anyone know if he is right? I've looked on the NHSBA website and it's not clear. The law changed in 2013, but he retired before this so the rules were different then.

Thank you

calcotti

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/about-injury-benefits-scheme


"The Scheme may also pay benefits to the surviving partner and dependants of a NHS employee whose death has been caused by, or substantially hastened by, their NHS employment."


Best thing will be to contact the benefit administrators who can hopefully provide a definitive answer for your particular circumstances.

Gin_and_Milk

Thank you for your reply, however due to his circumstances, I think I'm right when I say I won't get anything.

I am trying to plan for an early retirement, but I definitely won't be able to go at 55, but my plans are in the very early stages, and I wasn't expecting anything from PIB anyway, so at least I've found out in good time.

xylophone

I am trying to plan for an early retirement,

Have you yet sorted out the SIPP discussed in earlier posts or the AVC with the Pru?

Gin_and_Milk

xylophone wrote: »

Have you yet sorted out the SIPP discussed in earlier posts or the AVC with the Pru?

I'm not confident enough with regards to opening a SIPP, although I did open a VLS80 a few months ago in which I pay £100 per month, although I think I read somewhere that they may start doing SIPPS. But I doubt even then I'd have enough to tide me over to SPA, because retiring at 55 means I would get a pension of around £7k per annum.

With regards to the Pru AVC, this will probably now have to wait until after Christmas unfortunately, but even then I doubt I would have enough to last me until SPA. I do have £5k invested in shares (which are doing abysmally at the moment). I've only had them for a few years, and hopefully in time they'll be worth enough to pay our mortgage off early.

I know it sounds pessimistic to assume that I will lose my husband before I reach 67, but he will be 80 by then, and, like I say his health is not great. I also have to consider any potential care costs that we may incur in the future, although we've never had joint bank
accounts. Not sure if that makes a difference though.