At a Glance
✓ You can apply to take your deferred benefits on ill-health grounds at any age.
✓ Your case must be assessed by an independent occupational health doctor.
✓ Your benefits will not be reduced if your application is approved.
✓ There are no additional ill-health enhancements for deferred members.
Who can apply for ill-health retirement?
To qualify, you must be permanently incapable of carrying out the job you were employed in when you left the LGPS.
If you left the LGPS after 31 March 2008, consideration must also be given to whether you are capable of undertaking any gainful employment within the next three years.
Gainful employment means paid employment of at least 30 hours per week for a period of one year or more.
How is ill health assessed?
Your former employer will obtain an opinion from an Independent Registered Medical Practitioner (IRMP) qualified in occupational health medicine.
The IRMP will review the relevant medical evidence before providing a formal medical opinion.
What is the process?
If you are considering applying for ill-health retirement, the process will normally involve the following steps:
What happens if my application is approved?
Your deferred benefits will be paid immediately.
No early payment reduction will be applied.
Unlike active members, deferred members are not entitled to any additional ill-health enhancement (Tier 1, 2 or 3).
What happens if my application is not approved?
Your benefits will remain deferred benefits.
You can take them at your Normal Pension Age or apply to take them earlier in accordance with the scheme rules.
Can I appeal?
If you disagree with your former employer's decision, you may have the right to appeal through the Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure (IDRP).
You should contact your former employer for more information about the appeals process.
Can I take part of my pension as a lump sum?
When you take your pension, you can normally exchange part of your annual pension for a one-off tax-free lump sum.
Commuting pension will increase the lump sum you receive at retirement, but it will reduce the annual pension paid to you for the rest of your life.