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Clarification on NHS Early Ill Health Retirement Rights

Daithi

I am a nurse who has been qualified for just over 25 years. I have been diagnosed with Bipolar Affective Disorder for many years, and been catastrophically impaired due to Post Covid Syndrome. I have been on Long Term Sickness since 08/09/2023.

I am a RCN Union member, but I can’t seem to get clarity from them on this issue, which is, “In all likelihood of seeking NHS Early Ill Health Retirement am I entitled to any monies, compensation, severance pay, which equally wouldn’t impact my Ill Health Retirement Application”.

I sound Hawkish but I’m trying to figure out how to cushion the blow of my salary being removed, awaiting hopefully for the pension, on top of paying mortgage / bills etc. I have already been assisted to put my house on the market, with the expectation of substantial lowered income.

I receive PIP at both Enhanced Rates.

I have been advised by my psychiatrist, Post Covid Community Rehabilitation Team and my Employers NHS Occupational Health Doctor following review, that I am not capable of meeting my employment duties, would be unlikely to again be able to meet them or other sources of employment, and that he couldn’t identify any Reasonable Adjustments which would assist with a return to work given the severity of the illnesses.

My manager has emailed, and referred in passing that she, her manager and her managers manager, along with the head of Human Resources would be supportive of Early Ill Health Retirement. This issue had originally been suggested after a return to work early last year during a ‘Return to Work’ interview with my manager.

Any advice or guidance would be very much appreciated.

Kind Regards

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Comments

66Mustang

Is your pension managed by NHSBSA? Have you tried contacting them? If not that would be another avenue to explore for potential support.

I have a small amount experience as I sorted out my Mum's pension for her (she was a nurse) and know how complicated it is, found it an absolute minefield with different types of pension from different years of service left right and centre.

Daithi

Hi there, thanks for the reply, yes NHSBSA are and will be informed, but I keep getting conflicting information in regards to dismissal pay, Mutually Agreed Resignation Scheme (MARS), informal severance payments etc. The bulk of my 25 years is in the 2008 scheme, with the rest, several years, under the 2015 scheme. I am really unclear what I’m entitled to, particularly with mind to not jeopardising my pending application for early nhs Ill health retirement. For instance I spoke with NHSBSA yesterday who stated application for MARS wouldn’t effect an application for early Ill health retirement, yet I subsequently read literature stating the opposite. My union is supposed to be calling again this afternoon, I only hope they can shine some light on these issues.