Ill health

If you become seriously ill

To satisfy normal ill health, you have to prove to the Trustees that you meet the criteria of ‘incapacity' as per the rules. Incapacity means:

"Physical or mental deterioration in health which is beyond that which is either normally associated with advancing age or simply due to a decline in energy or ability as a result of which, in the opinion of a registered medical practitioner, the member is (and will continue to be) incapable of carrying on their normal occupation and their earning capacity is seriously impaired."

If you had to retire due to ill health, your Cash Balance benefits would be determined in the same way as for early retirement. Depending on your illness, it may be possible to purchase a lifetime annuity on an impaired health rate, which would provide a higher income.

Your Final Salary pension would be calculated in the same way as for normal retirement. Your pension would be based on your Pensionable Service within the Final Salary section and Final Pensionable Earnings at your date of leaving the Scheme or 31 December 2012, whichever is earlier. Your Final Salary pension would be revalued in line with statutory requirements from your date of leaving the Final Salary section and retirement.

The Trustees may vary or suspend your ill-health pension at any time up to your Normal Retirement Date if you fail to satisfy them of your continued serious ill health.