Ill Health Retirement

Our Ill Health Retirement Service is initiated when an employee’s health condition significantly affects their ability to work, potentially leading to early retirement due to ill health. The process involves a thorough assessment by an independent Occupational Health Physician (IRMP) to evaluate the impact of the health issue on the employee’s job performance. The process includes collecting medical evidence, consulting with healthcare providers, and determining the employee’s capacity to continue working. The aim is to prioritise the employee’s health and well-being while also considering the practical aspects of their employment and retirement benefits.

Our experienced team of Occupational Health Physicians are highly skilled in advising on both private and public service pension schemes and conducting pension reviews / independent assessments for both active and deferred applicants seeking Ill Health Retirement.

Ill Health Retirement Assessments are comprehensive evaluations conducted by our experienced Occupational Health Physicians to determine if an employee qualifies for early retirement due to ill health based on health grounds. Here’s what the process involves:

• Initial Referral: The process begins when an IHR referral is received by our team.
• Assessment Planning: Initially, we schedule a consultation with an independent Occupational Health Physician (IRMP). This involves gathering preliminary information about the employee’s health condition and job requirements.
• Medical Evidence Collection: We may need to collect further medical evidence (FME) which may include medical records, reports from healthcare providers, and any relevant test results.
• Occupational Health Assessment: The IRMP conducts a thorough assessment of the employee’s health condition, evaluating how it impacts their job performance and overall ability to work.
• Evaluation and Recommendation: Based on the assessment, consultation, and medical evidence, the IRMP evaluates the employee’s capacity to continue working and provides a clear, evidence-based recommendation. This includes whether Ill Health Retirement is appropriate and any potential adjustments or accommodations.
• Report Preparation:The IRMP prepares a detailed report outlining the findings and recommendations. This report is shared with the employer and relevant trustees.
• Decision Support: We support trustees to make informed decisions by offering unbiased opinions and clarifying any aspects of the report.

Ill Health Retirement services offer several key benefits for both employees and employers:

• Employee Wellbeing:IHR services prioritise the health and wellbeing of employees, ensuring that those who are unable to continue working due to health issues receive the support they need, particularly when considering early retirement due to ill health.
• Financial Security:Employees can access their pension benefits earlier through Ill Health Retirement, providing financial stability during a challenging time when they are unable to work.
• Expert Assessments: Independent assessments by Occupational Health Physicians ensure that decisions regarding Ill Health Retirement are based on thorough, unbiased medical evaluations.
• Compliance and Fairness:IHR services help employers comply with legal and regulatory requirements, ensuring fair treatment of employees seeking early retirement due to ill health.
• Informed Decision-Making:Clear, evidence-based recommendations support trustees and employers in making well-informed decisions regarding Ill Health Retirement.

The top three values that ill health retirement services offer are:

• Health and Well-being Prioritization: Ill health retirement (IHR) services ensure that the health and well-being of employees are at the forefront, providing necessary support and care during a challenging time, including options for early retirement due to ill health.
• Fair and Informed Decision-Making: By offering thorough, unbiased medical assessments and clear recommendations, IHR services help employers and trustees make fair and well-informed decisions regarding an employee’s early retirement due to ill health.
• Compliance and Risk Management: By adhering to the specific guidelines of various pension schemes, our ill health retirement services ensure that assessments are compliant with legal and regulatory requirements. This reduces the risk of disputes or challenges related to ill health retirement, safeguarding the organization against potential liabilities.
• Cost Efficiency: Investing in our ill health retirement services can lead to long-term cost savings for organizations by reducing (or preventing) prolonged employee absences and potential legal disputes, which can minimize the financial impact associated with ill health claims.

Here are the typical outcomes of an ill health retirement referral:

• Approval for Ill Health Retirement: If the assessment confirms significant health impairment, the employee may be approved for ill health retirement, allowing earlier access to pension benefits.
• Recommendations for Adjustments: The assessment may suggest adjustments to the employee’s role or work environment to enable them to continue working.
• Continued Employment with Monitoring: If the health condition is not severe, the employee may remain in their role with ongoing monitoring and support.
• Referral to Additional Support Services: The assessment might recommend further medical treatment, rehabilitation, or other support to help manage the employee’s condition.
• Denial of Ill Health Retirement: If the health condition does not significantly affect work, the application for ill health retirement may be denied, and the employee will continue working as usual.