Forced or voluntary ill health retirement

swiss-tony · Post by **swiss-tony** » 26 Nov 2017, 10:55

Hi need some advice please. I’m currently on long term sick due to a recurrence of a back problem for which a has a operation last year. Ive been off for nearly 3 months now and will be having a root block injection late January which the surgeon is confident should work? But after having a discectomy last year I’m not so confident? I’ve had no communication through ATOS and the times I’ve spoken to my Dom I’ve expressed my concerns that I might not be able to continue on delivery? He has mentioned that moving forward there might be the possibility of moving to a mail centre where there may be the possibility of inside work but only if there are vacancies? He’s brought up the possibility of I’ll health retirement on more than one occasion. Although at 46 I don’t want to go down that road I have to be realistic that this might be a option? I spoke to my union rep asking is there any difference between forced or voluntary retirement and he said no? Could any one clear this up for me please as I’ve read somewhere that if it’s forced I get 75% of future pension contributions and can take my pension straight away? So after 20 years service would I be best to take voluntary and go through the motions of forced and are the lump sums the same?
Thanks

rehabron · Post by **rehabron** » 26 Nov 2017, 12:20

swiss-tony wrote:Hi need some advice please. I’m currently on long term sick due to a recurrence of a back problem for which a has a operation last year. Ive been off for nearly 3 months now and will be having a root block injection late January which the surgeon is confident should work? But after having a discectomy last year I’m not so confident? I’ve had no communication through ATOS and the times I’ve spoken to my Dom I’ve expressed my concerns that I might not be able to continue on delivery? He has mentioned that moving forward there might be the possibility of moving to a mail centre where there may be the possibility of inside work but only if there are vacancies? He’s brought up the possibility of I’ll health retirement on more than one occasion. Although at 46 I don’t want to go down that road I have to be realistic that this might be a option? I spoke to my union rep asking is there any difference between forced or voluntary retirement and he said no? Could any one clear this up for me please as I’ve read somewhere that if it’s forced I get 75% of future pension contributions and can take my pension straight away? So after 20 years service would I be best to take voluntary and go through the motions of forced and are the lump sums the same?
Thanks

If its forced its not voluntary. The business may prefer to give IHR but you do not have to accept this due to your age and you have the right of appeal to their decision.
You need to get as much evidence as you can with doctors and specialist reports to support your claim that IHR is not a remedy for your situation and the prognosis of your condition may be greatly improved after your root block injection in January by the surgeon and hopefully an IHR proposal could be delayed until then when their is a better position with regards to your condition and if you are fit enough to complete the work required by RM.
There is the other possibility that your impairment may be long term and covered by the EA2010 and RM can where possible give you a duty with reasonable adjustments tailored to your medical condition.
You should also ask for a further referral to OH Assist ( ATOS) to have your current medical condition updated this also to be used for your refusal to accept IHR at this stage.
On the matter of your pension this is best answered by ROBERT T but I think you would qualify for 34 weeks @ basic rate + 12 weeks PILON + outstanding annual leave but ROBERT T will put you right.

swiss-tony · Post by **swiss-tony** » 26 Nov 2017, 12:30

Thank you for the info,I’ll get onto OH assist.

Post by **RobertT** » 26 Nov 2017, 13:37

There are two types of IHR:

1. IHR with lump sum. You’ll get 34 weeks pay plus with 20 service another 12 weeks PILON. You will not be able to touch your pension until age 55 with the usual reductions for early payment before the NRA’s of 60 & 65. You will be offered this if you’re no longer able to do your current job and no other position in RM is available.

2. IHR with immediate payment of pension. You will be given your pension unreduced based on what you’ve accrued up to your leaving date. You will only be offered this if your illness/injury is deemed serious enough to prevent you from working in any capacity again.

swiss-tony · Post by **swiss-tony** » 26 Nov 2017, 13:54

Ok thanks for the info

Post by **RobertT** » 26 Nov 2017, 15:34

Sorry about this but my previous post is a bit wide of the mark!

I’m still a bit hung over from a heavy night!

Full details of what you’ll get from ‘IHR with immediate payment of pension’ can be found here:

https://www.royalmailpensionplan.co.uk/ ... 8.12_0.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

swiss-tony · Post by **swiss-tony** » 26 Nov 2017, 15:57

No worries,thanks for you’re time and help.

scooby · Post by **scooby** » 30 Nov 2017, 13:22

i been on sick for about 13 weeks with back problem done my disc l5s1 herniated it. was you put on to oh assist or any think like that ?

swiss-tony · Post by **swiss-tony** » 30 Nov 2017, 16:09

Only just had contact from oh assist after 3 months and Royal Mail have asked if I’m considered as possible IHR?