LGPS ill Health Retirement

elaneh · 28 November 2017 at 1:22AM

Hi Silvertabby
thanks for that
I found some guidance that says the employer decides based on the certificate of the IRMP but the IRMP must be approved by the authority if they are not the employer (no report yet and not yet even been asked to sign for medical records)
what I can't quite get is if the employer says yes for an active member is that it? or does the administering authority also have a say?
trying to understand how many stages
it is all so stressful!
Thanks again for your answer, hoping you can help me
E

Silvertabby · 28 November 2017 at 11:14AM

what I can't quite get is if the employer says yes for an active member is that it? or does the administering authority also have a say? Posted by elaneh

The pensions administrator does exactly that - they simply administer the LGPS on behalf of the employers.

Some LGPS rules are set in concrete, whereas some lesser aspects are 'at the employers discretion'.

In the case of an ill health retirement, the LGPS cannot and will not go against the instructions of the employer - as long as they have the correct documentation (especially the medical certificate) they will process the payment.

Some employers get confused over 'employers costs' - ie, the additional lump sum they may need to pay the pension fund in certain circumstances, such as redundancy or flexible retirement. However, in the case of ill health retirement, the cost of the enhanced benefits is met by the pension fund. That rule is 'set in concrete'.

elaneh · 28 November 2017 at 1:56PM

Thanks that clarifies that at least I am waiting only for the medical stuff and my employer and not then another process.
You are so helpful. it is very reassuring to have someone that knows what they are talking about

Silvertabby · 28 November 2017 at 2:00PM

You're very welcome.

hyubh · 28 November 2017 at 6:56PM

Silvertabby wrote: »

The pensions administrator does exactly that - they simply administer the LGPS on behalf of the employers.

To be fair to the OP, they wrote of the 'administering authority', not the scheme administrator (if a county council outsources day-to-day scheme administration, it still remains the pension fund's administering authority). With respect to an ill health retirement, while you're right that it is the employer's decision, on advice of an IRMP appointed by them, the IRMP themselves must be approved by the administering authority (this is in the regs).

Silvertabby · 28 November 2017 at 7:24PM

“ The pensions administrator does exactly that - they simply administer the LGPS on behalf of the employers.
Originally posted by Silvertabby ”

To be fair to the OP, they wrote of the 'administering authority', not the scheme administrator (if a county council outsources day-to-day scheme administration, it still remains the pension fund's administering authority).

Strictly speaking, you're right - but OP spoke of her employer and the administrating authority and so clearly used 'administrating authority' for 'LGPS administrator'.

With respect to an ill health retirement, while you're right that it is the employer's decision, on advice of an IRMP appointed by them, the IRMP themselves must be approved by the administering authority (this is in the regs).

That's why I said the the documentation - including the ill health certificate - supplied by the employer must be correct. One of the checks carried out by the LGPS is that the Dr is on the approved list.

bon0504 · 10 August 2018 at 10:27AM

Hi
I have been through the process and it was quite daunting but I was awarded tier 1 without too much difficulty. My line manager was amazing and helped me throughout the process.
She sat down with me about a year before I applied and told me how to maximise my chances of being granted Tier1.
You are doing all the right things by collecting info from your medical team especially the fact that they support your application.
Secondly, reducing your hours as this is something that they are likely to ask from you before applying. I went from five days to 4 dropping a Wednesday which meant i was only doing two days at a time. This made an enormous difference but was still too much, but I had ticked that box. I then reduced to 20 hours which was financially difficult but helped me with my application.
When I finally applied i was granted tier 1 with no problems.
I also applied for and was granted PIP while I was waiting on my retirement decision. Don't know if you have this but is a great help financially.
I have Fibromyalgia which is horrendous and very debilitating.
Good luck with your application and keep well x

Westie983 · 14 August 2018 at 3:12PM

Just come across this thread as I am in the process of doing this, I dont have a LGPS but I am in the process and it does take a while to sort out, well mine has.

I have seen the OH doctor and he suggest some adjustments and if these didn't help my working situation then he would support an application for ill health retirement. This was suggested by my employer and not myself, I am happy to continue working with the adjustments in place but they have refused to put these in place and have forced hands towards ill health application.

I applied to my pension team, with the support of my employer back in October, and we are still waiting, we have send all documents relating to my health, including the OH report but they are stuck on the balance of probability and the permanent element.

My disability is permanent but its the fine line between me being not able to work in my current role, or in the company or if I would struggle in any form of employment.

Onwards and upwards but reassuring reading this thread that others have been through the same delays.

Westie983

Shell7656 · 11 October 2020 at 6:20PM

Hi
Can anyone help me
Due to ill health I'm being retired early and am not allowed to work
Can I foster a child ?
I'd really appreciate some help
Thankyou

mark55man · 12 October 2020 at 6:14PM

Hello there Shell - I really think you will get more answers if you start a new thread - there's a button for that somewhere. This board will be able to help you about the ill health retirement piece - there's normally some very clear guidance on what is allowed and what not, and that depends on how serious your ill health is. Fostering is a new one on me though, so good luck with that. definitely start a new thread though

LGPS ill Health Retirement

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