Early retirement Public Sector

apache

Just wondering if I have any options? Out of work and on illness benefit the past 4 months. In the job 18 years. Still getting paid but that will stop soon. I know I can't go back.

Do I have any options? Or will I just stop sending in my certs in when I stop getting paid and just not go back?

Mrs OBumble

Speak to your union. There will be a process to follow. Is there any way you could go back to lighter duties?

gauchesnell

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058293874/early-retirement-public-sector

there are always options but you need to speak with your Union or your penions/HR dept. There are a lot of variables including the nature of the illness and your age etc.

Do you wish to go back but transfer to a different role perhaps

apache

Thank you.

There's a lot to think about. I obviously don't want to go into any detail. I'm still not 100% sure what I'm going to do. I am reluctant to speak to the union.

Mrs OBumble

Why are you reluctant to speak to the very organisation that you pay te represent your interests???

Mam1996

Make an appointment with your occupational health department and look into the critical illness protocol and/or TRR (temporary rehabilitation renumeration) which lasts for 2 years. Both policies are available online znd the occ health department can approve them for you. Best of luck, don't just stop sending certs and walk away as you have options

apache

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120533985#Comment_120533985

Thanks, that's the kind of advice I'm looking for. I actually had an appointment with the CMO and she signed me off on critical illness which I'm very greatful for. The 6 months of sanctioned full pay is nearly up though. I'm nearly sure it's just for 6 months. I'd say I'll get another appointment with the CMO soon. I'll keep on sending my certs in for the moment though.

Mam1996

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120534122#Comment_120534122

Yes, I'm in a similar situation and hoping to move to TRR soon. I was advised to send the forms in about a month before it's due so I've sent them in last week, hope it's a seamless transition. Best of luck to you

apache

The 6 months of critical illness pay is up. No sign of another appointment with CMO. Is there any point of still sending my sick certs in? I don't think I would ever be able to go back. I think I'll just continue on illness benefit. I think that's like €210 a week? I won't have the hassle every week from getting GP certs. Would just have to get the social welfare certs.

After 18 years in the public sector in the same job and on good pay I realise I can't do it any more. Big changes. Don't know how I'm going to pay the mortgage and bills.

Mrs OBumble

Illness benefit won't last forever, and isn't enough to live on if you have a mortgage. You cannot afford to bury your head in the sand here, or you will lose your house sooner or later.

What does your GP or specialist think is your likelihood of returning to the workforce at all - not just in your previous job. If you don't know, then you need to ask them ASAP. Based on what they say, then you need to talk to MABS about what your options are. They may well refer you to a mortgage specialist.

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120653956#Comment_120653956

Highlights the importance of an income protection policy

I had to retire several years early from the public service. Had had a lot of illness with colitis, colectomy & ileostomy, then final straw was when I had a heart attack during a row with the boss, who had accused me of something in the wrong, said manager later proving to frame another staff member for something she herself had done. They suggested that I could retire in full pension there and then, I took the money and ran. I didn’t know it at the time but I was also developing MS, which added to my fragility at the time.

apache

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120656251#Comment_120656251

I do realise I'm burying my head in the sand. I'm about 4 months behind on my mortgage. I've never been in arrears but when the pay has stopped I needed some savings to live on. I just don't know what's going to happen. I did engage with the bank for the first time yesterday but it didn't go well. There was a language barrier and I ended up getting frustrated. They are looking for a lot of paperwork still.

Mam1996

Have you sent in TRR forms? This payment lasts for up to 2yrs and is the same as pension rate of pay. Please don't quit without engaging with HR. There are options there for you and you never know how things might turn around health wise for you in the next few months.

apache

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120660568#Comment_120660568

I don't know anything about TRR forms. Can you explain? Should I contact HR?

I know you're right but I'm just fed up sending in weekly medical certs. Maybe I should keep on sending them in until I see the CMO again. I'm unsure of what to do.

Also I have deductions coming out of my wages. If I switched illness benefit payment from my employer to myself it would be better.

Mam1996

Yes ask HR about TRR, it's pension rate of pay for up to 2 years. Your job will be held and you can also claim illness benefit until it runs out. If at that stage you remain unfit for work you could apply for invalidity pension and take early retirement from work.

For now though contact your HR department and get the forms for TRR, contact your occupational health department and tell them you need a new appointment. You could discuss your issues with the CMO there and also discuss early retirement if needs be. Bring any consultant letters to the CMO or if you don't have any just contact your consultants secretary and ask for a summary letter to be sent to CMO so that they have all information to hand.

Good luck!

apache

Thanks Mam, I appreciate it. I'll look into it.

Hotblack Desiato

Talk to your union urgently.

apache

I'm getting TRR at the moment. It's not much. Does anyone know if I can claim illness benefit on top of that or does it still have to go to my employer? It's not that much more than social welfare. If this is the pension rate of pay I can forget about early retirement. That's not an option with a mortgage to pay.

I could go into mywelfare.ie and change bank details. I did that before for 2 months before I changed it back. I'm worried they'll come looking to pay back what I owe. It was an error on my part. But for those 2 months things were ok financially.

Upandout

Sorry to hear you are unwell. Have you access to an EAP service? They will have financial and legal advice and resources to support you. First you need information on what your options are - these will have to come from your employer as there are some variances. The EAP can help support you and perhaps there is someone you can appoint as a go between if you don't want to contact them personally?

Unfortunately, to get anything in motion you need to make contact first - but you can appoint a representative to be an intermediator after appointing someone.

apache

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121070955#Comment_121070955

Thank you

I'm not very keen in getting the union involved due to trust issues but I am in touch with EAP. I will ring them and ask them.

It's just that the EAP would be in contact with the union and I'm not happy with my personal details being discussed. If you knew the culture of the job you would get it.

I will have another meeting with the CMO soon.

It looks like I should just cut all ties with this job and start afresh if I can.

Wood

You can retire on ill health grounds: https://circulars.gov.ie/pdf/circular/finance/2007/22.pdf

I know two in my office personally that have done so this year.

Mam1996

Yes you can claim illness benefit also, it is taxable though so make sure you either declare it to revenue or your payroll department can do it for you.

Your gp can send in the details and you have to fill in an application online through mygov.ie

apache

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121072306#Comment_121072306

Well I've been claiming illness benefit since I am out sick but it has gone straight to my employer's account and I get paid a set amount every 2 weeks. There was a period of time where I wasn't getting anything when critical illness had ended and before TRR kicked in. I then changed my bank details in order for me to get paid illness benefit. I changed them back. That was illegal what I was doing. I'm actually worried I'll have to pay it all back but I can always set up a payment plan.

When you initially fill out your social welfare medical forms you tick the box where it says your employer pays you while out sick. So you're not entitled to illness benefit yourself. The social welfare pay it to your employer. To double claim is an offence.

That's my understanding of it.

apache

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121072169#Comment_121072169

Yes but if what I'm getting now is the pension rate of pay I wouldn't be able to survive on that.

I appreciate the responses.

mystic

You say you're in a union. Were you paying for income protection? It brings you up to 75% of your income.

CIP lasts for six months then onto half pay for a time before TRR kicks in.

Contact NSSO and get your Illness Benefit paid into your account. It's not illegal.

PM if you prefer as I went through the process.

apache

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121180704#Comment_121180704

Thanks for the reply mystic. I never signed up for income protection. Bad error on my part. I'm on TRR about 2/3 months now. How long does that last?

I'm beginning to think that maybe I was wrong. I seem to be now getting illness benefit on top of TRR. I recently changed the payment to my Revolut account so I get the illness benefit paid in weekly and then get my TRR pay every two weeks. It used to all go through my wages. I still feel that what I am doing is illegal and will have to pay it all back.

Like the illness benefit was supposed to be going through my wages but I wasn't getting paid it so I changed accounts. I shouldn't have. I'm not sure if I am explaining it properly.

mystic

Illness Benefit is paid to the employer as long as you're on full or half pay.

You are eligible to receive Illness Benefit with TRR. As others have said TRR is paid for 2 years. I was on it for a few months.

Also check with Revenue as your employer is supposed to make adjustments for the amount of Illness Benefit they received. Mine didn't and I eventually got a tax rebate.

https://www.revenue.ie/en/employing-people/taxation-of-social-welfare-payments-illness-benefit/pay-employee-receiving-ib.aspx

blanch152

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121181905#Comment_121181905

If you are there eighteen years, you are in the old pension scheme.

https://www.publicservicepensions.gov.ie/en/topic/ill-health-retirement-ihr/

Here is a link about ill-health retirement. You should talk to your union, and talk to HR.

There are options, but they will need evaluation by the CMO.

apache

Thanks for all the information. I just got a registered letter this morning. Back to see the CMO in two weeks. I'm not sure how that will go. I guess just be honest with her.

I haven't been in touch with the union but I am in touch with EAP.

Mrs OBumble

Oh ffs! Contact the union. Advise on this sort of stuff is literally what you pay them for.

apache

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121190705#Comment_121190705

FFS yourself. Theres reasons why I'm not contacting them. None of your business!

snuffysshop

Do you mind me asking how you got on with the cmo I am in similar position as you and see the cmo shortly, you can pm if you wish. Thanks

apache

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121661293#Comment_121661293

Supposed to see her end of January to know what is going to happen but the appointment hasn't come yet.

Also I see I'm getting taxed more on my TRR than I was before so I'm coming out with less.

Hotblack Desiato

Sets up a thread looking for advice

Ignores all advice given

🤔

apache

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121664476#Comment_121664476

What advice did I ignore? Apart from contacting the union?

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121665007#Comment_121665007

Apart from yourself the next best people to have an interest in getting this sorted out is you union, so deciding not to talk to them in a unionised organisation would be ignoring a very significant piece of advice to most people.

Ted222

If the CMO recommends ill health retirement, you’ll qualify for free additional years up to normal retirement age that would boost the value of your pension/lump sum relative to what it’s worth at the moment.

Your HR unit should be able to advise. Union reps don’t have this level of specialist knowledge.

Keep sending the certs regardless until the matter is resolved. Don’t walk away just because the payment may be coming to an end.

apache

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121701548#Comment_121701548

Thanks very much for this advice. A lot of the time I feel like trowing the towel in but I'll keep on sending in my certs. Sure they'd be only delighted if I stopped.

apache

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121681613#Comment_121681613

The union wouldn't know and I wouldn't trust them with confidential medical details. I've heard myself sensitive information about other people through union reps. It's not exactly a modern organisation.

FGR

Hey Apache. I sent you a PM there. Hope it might help.

snuffysshop

can I ask you one more question please, were you allowed keep the illness benefit on top of your trr I’m on trr now and work getting my illness benefit

snuffysshop

can I ask how many years service you had please

Thephantomsmask

Just wondering can anyone advise, does the HSE pension calculator cover the ill health retirement pension? It gives the option to enter pension with preserved benefits but doesn't specify which ones this covers. Thanks

the14thwarrior

make sure you talk to HR and pension section before you make a decision on added years. They will only add years to when you can retire. there are generally three different pension schemes.

people think you get added years to 65. not so in many case. it might be till 60 and that will make a difference in your calculations.

once you stop work, and you are retired on illness grounds, it will be on your record, and they are obliged to state this on your reference. If you think you may be able to work in a different job, i have been told that legally they can stop your pension, because you stopped working on illness grounds. therefore they gave you your pension and added years on medical grounds. so if you work again, they can stop it until such a time you stop working again.

just saying………………….

blanch152

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122709072#Comment_122709072

They can only take away the pension if the illness/disability changes and you are fit to resume the type of work you retired from.

So in examples like a fireman retiring because he could no longer physically do the work, or a nurse unable to stay on his feet all day or a senior manager who couldn't cope with the stress, working in a low-end administration job would not result in pension being taken back.

the14thwarrior

we don't have enough information as to whether a different role has been offered or declined; different duties etc. I am assuming this route has not been taken / considered. Also on what grounds is early retirement being taken.

but it is a consideration.