Next step what do I do

Fiona143

Hi, I have been offered ill health retiral through LGPS from my employer. O/H and doctors report finalised. My line manager says I can either submit my resignation via an email or a face to face meeting so as the paperwork can be finalised, I have a copy of the 3.1 from my line manager but do I need a statement from the LGPS stating what I shall get ? I am wary as a union Rep said do not sign any resignation until I have the paperwork in front of me stating what I shall receive and the date in which I will receive payments.


I am not sure what to do for the best ? what if I sign my resignation and then they don't take the ill health retiral any further? I am not sure what to do for the best.

Silvertabby

Fiona143 wrote: »

Hi, I have been offered ill health retiral through LGPS from my employer. O/H and doctors report finalised. My line manager says I can either submit my resignation via an email or a face to face meeting so as the paperwork can be finalised, I have a copy of the 3.1 from my line manager but do I need a statement from the LGPS stating what I shall get ? I am wary as a union Rep said do not sign any resignation until I have the paperwork in front of me stating what I shall receive and the date in which I will receive payments.

I am not sure what to do for the best ? what if I sign my resignation and then they don't take the ill health retiral any further? I am not sure what to do for the best.

Do NOT resign.

In the case of ill health retirement, your employer tells you the date that your employment will be terminated. You may have to then sign a form accepting this decision, but this is not your resignation.

Have you been told which tier of ill health you have been awarded? If this has been confirmed, then your LGPS should be able to provide you with estimated pension benefits.

Fiona143

Hi oh okay I'm glad you said that, I have been ill health retired on tier 1.


I originally asked LGPS for an estimate in December 2019 I received all the figures but that was for Tier 2 which I thought it would have been. On this letter it quotes " As the local government pension scheme is a final salary scheme, for pension scheme membership up to 31st March 2015 the actual 365 day pensionable salary used to calculate the final salary portion of your pension benefits, cannot be obtained until you have left employment and received your final months payment "


I'm just dubious and am afraid to do the wrong thing.

Silvertabby

Fiona143 wrote: »

Hi oh okay I'm glad you said that, I have been ill health retired on tier 1.


I originally asked LGPS for an estimate in December 2019 I received all the figures but that was for Tier 2 which I thought it would have been. On this letter it quotes " As the local government pension scheme is a final salary scheme, for pension scheme membership up to 31st March 2015 the actual 365 day pensionable salary used to calculate the final salary portion of your pension benefits, cannot be obtained until you have left employment and received your final months payment "


I'm just dubious and am afraid to do the wrong thing.

If you have definitely been awarded a Tier 1, then go back to your LGPS and ask for a revised estimate - there's a considerable difference between Tiers 1 & 2.

It will be an estimate for the reasons they have given - but it should be pretty accurate, and won't be anything to worry about. However, they won't be able to make your lump sum/first pension payment until they receive your final leaver details - which could be as long as 6 weeks after your final day. This is normal for all retirements - you will have some decisions to make regarding your pension options (give up some pension for a bigger lump sum, etc) and working from estimated figures gives you the time to do that.

The main thing is NOT to resign, even if pressured to do so. I'm not saying that your employer will pull a fast one, but until your ill health retirement has been fully signed off and approved there is a danger that they could say that submitting your resignation has 'pulled the plug'.

I'm a retired LGPS administrator, so if you need some explanation of your figures once you receive them please feel free to PM me if you don't want to put numbers on an open forum. Note 'explanation' though - I'm not allowed/officially qualified to give actual advice.

Fiona143

Thank you so much Silvertabby very much appreciated. Just phoned my pension people they've not been notified yet but I understand this may take a week or two for my employers to send the information. I have asked them to send me an updated statement as it's Tier 1 rather than tier 2.


I appreciate your help I will likely PM you when the figures come through as I am pretty naive to things like this.

balbs

This from HR perspective (regardless of pension)... definitely agree with the 'do not resign' angle. Once you do that you have put yourself in a vulnerable position - please take union rep advice, he/she has your interest at heart, your employer might not!

woolly_wombat

Fiona143 wrote: »

Hi, I have been offered ill health retiral through LGPS from my employer. O/H and doctors report finalised. My line manager says I can either submit my resignation via an email or a face to face meeting so as the paperwork can be finalised

Very sneaky.

Fortunately you have Silvertabby and your union rep to outfox them.

Fiona143

Yes I am very lucky indeed.