I’ll health retirement forms

Dales

Hi everyone. After battling with bipolar for the last 20 years, I’ve now also been diagnosed with spondylitis and fibromyalgia at the age of 52. I’ve decided to apply for IHR, after spending almost 5 months sick each year for the last 5 years - and am currently in a period of long term sick while I go through the IHR process with my current employer. 

 I’ve been asked to complete some forms  in order to access my private pension, which also require a GP declaration to be completed. Does anyone have any experience of going through this? How likely are GPs to support my case?  I understand the requirements but, surely, this kind of opinion is subjective to some degree??

chiarieds

Hi @Dales - & welcome to the community. I understand where you're coming from as concerns your GP. I don't know if this is a possibility, but perhaps you could ask them to show you what they intend submitting first. I know my GP offered to write me a supportive letter when first claiming Personal Independence Payment/PIP (tho it cost £25), saying he wouldn't mind making some revisions if I wasn't happy. On the other hand, this is all due to your ill health, & your GP should be able to confirm if they feel you can no longer work in any capacity (& I'm sure they'll have written many such declarations previously).

Ill health retirement can be difficult to get, so hopefully having your GP onside will be helpful.

Others will know more about this than I however. Have you considered looking into PIP for yourself?

Dales

Hi Chiarieds,

Thank you for the advice. Yeah - I was hoping for a chance to talk to the GP but, the process is “drop the form off at the surgery and pay the fee”! 

Maybe the GP will make contact? I hope so. I don’t want to have to take an appointment slot for something like this!

PIP - yeah, I’m actually in the tribunal phase now - awaiting a date. I applied in Sep, appealed to Tribunal in Feb - so probably a few months away from an actual hearing. 

I’ve only just discovered this forum but I’m so glad I did…!!  

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @Dales

I see chiarieds has been able to help you with your query Just wanted to welcome you to the community and ask how you are after your new diagnosis's? 

2oldcodgers

Dales said:

Hi everyone. After battling with bipolar for the last 20 years, I’ve now also been diagnosed with spondylitis and fibromyalgia at the age of 52. I’ve decided to apply for IHR, after spending almost 5 months sick each year for the last 5 years - and am currently in a period of long term sick while I go through the IHR process with my current employer. 

 I’ve been asked to complete some forms  in order to access my private pension, which also require a GP declaration to be completed. Does anyone have any experience of going through this? How likely are GPs to support my case?  I understand the requirements but, surely, this kind of opinion is subjective to some degree??

I went through this whilst working for the government in my late 30's. My GP was fully aware of my situation and there were no problems in him stating that I would not be able to ever work again. The government uplifted my pension to age 60 (as though I had a total of 40+ years of contribution instead of the 20 years that I had contributed in. I then received a full pension and a nice lump sum.