Ill health

Where all reasonable adjustments and supports have been implemented, and the Switch2 process has been completed but there has been no return to work or the return has been unsuccessful, then ill health retirement may be an option for you.

This is appropriate where:

• you are considered permanently unfit due to your medical condition.
• every other option for return to work has been considered and
• you are a member of the Local Government Pension Scheme or the Scottish Teachers’ Pension Scheme.

If ill health retirement is to be pursued you should submit a letter requesting to be considered for retirement on the grounds of ill health and complete the Ill-health retirement consent form.  The letter should be sent to Finance and Corporate Resources, Personnel Services, Council Offices, Almada Street, Hamilton, ML3 0AA.

Once we have received your request, arrangements will be made to progress your application.  This will include a referral to our Occupational Health Adviser (OHA).

The OHA will collate all necessary information, for example, reports from your GP and/or specialists.   Where the information received supports your application for ill heath retirement, this will be passed on for assessment to an Independent Occupational Health Adviser (Salus).   If ill health retirement is agreed by the Independent Occupational Health Adviser the retirement date will be set from the date the Pension Form S18 is completed, unless otherwise stated by the Independent Occupational Health Adviser.   The Independent Occupational Health Adviser will confirm whether you will be granted tier one or tier two.  Please see below for explanations of the available tiers:

Tier One: You have no reasonable prospect, after leaving their current employment, of being able to obtain gainful employment before age 65.  This means you would receive 100% of actual and prospective service.

Tier Two: You have a reasonable prospect, after leaving your current employment, of being able to obtain gainful employment before age 65.  This means you would receive 100% of service to date plus 25% of prospective service.

If your application for ill health retirement is unsuccessful you may choose to appeal this decision.  Appeals/complaints in regard to the ill health retirement process or decisions made can only be invoked upon your employment being terminated either by the Council, by you, and/or where they cease to be a member of the Pension Fund.

If you are in a position to make an appeal/complaint you must complete an IDRP form and submit this to the Finance and Corporate Resources Personnel Manager.  However, if the employee has submitted an appeal to the Corporate Appeals Panel and/or the Employment Tribunal, they must see this process through to completion before appealing to the Corporate Personnel Manager in regard to their ill health retirement.

Teachers only

In terms of the Scottish Teachers Superannuation Scheme and in addition to the advice given above, reports from your GP/Specialist can be submitted by you directly to the Scottish Public Pensions Agency.  It should be noted, however, that GPs or Specialists may charge for this service.