Early Retirement due to poor health

We want to hear from you: please tell us about your experience of the online community.

fatmouse

I have been unable to work since November 2022 and I have been referred for a health assessment by my employer. I am 59 so need to manage until i can claim state pension in eight years. 

 If I need to cease working and assuming my pension benefits are paid early it would mean that I would receive a monthly pension of around £1350. I also receive pip at the standard rate for care only. This is still well below my current monthly take home pay. Does anyone know, if I need to retire on health grounds if there are any benefits I may be eligible to claim? 

Thank you in anticipation of your much needed help. 

calcotti

Regardless of anything else you can claim New style ESA provided you have a full NI record for 2020-21 and 2021-22 tax years. You cannot receive ESA while entitled to SSP but you could backdate ESA by under to three months but not to a date before SSP ended.

ESA is not means tested. However any ESA will be reduced by 50% of any pension received over £85/week. Unfortunately a pension of £1350/month which wipe out almost all the ESA even if you are put in the Support Group. You should still apply because if found to have Limited Capability for Work you will get NI credits even if no ESA is paid.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance

Whether anything else (Universal Credit and Council Tax Refuction) might be possible will depend on your circumstances. Are you single or do you have a partner? Do you rent or own your home? Do you have any capital.

I suggest you request a State Pension forecast. It will tell you how many more years of NI you need (if any) to get a full State Pension.
https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension