Hi. I’m Anna, I’m 49 and I live in Scotland. I was diagnosed with RRMS in 2016 and it’s been a fairly downhill slope since then. I work as a Primary Teacher- chairbound for the past 2 years but still managing. At then end of August I fell and broke my left wrist-the good one! Cut a long story short, my MS symptoms got so drastic I’ve been off work ever since. I can’t physically go back to work so I’m looking into the medical retirement route. I just wanted to ask-has anyone been in this situation? I’m scared the council will knock me back. Cheers!
Probably time to talk about your best options with the Union, assuming you haven’t already.
Hi Anna, I am coming to the final stages of a medical retirement from teaching.Not sure if it’s different in Scotland- I’m in England.
Be warned it can be a long drawn out process- after a massive flare up this time last year (I was diagnosed in 2020 with PPMS) I took advice from my Union - NAHT who basically told me to stop dragging myself into school (I was DHT of a large primary) and speak to my GP to get signed off. The Union pointed out a medical retirement has a greatly increased chance of going through if you are on long term sick. School will need to refer you to their OH who will do a report. You then need to gather as much evidence from medical sources outlining why you can not continue your role. Within the TPS there are two levels of medical retirement- tier 1- you can’t ever teach again but could fulfill another role or tier 2- not fit to work at all. I’ve been awarded tier 1 and my case should be completed in the next six weeks.
Good luck!
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Hi Nicky
Just read your post re ill health retirement
Tier 1 - are you happy with that ?
Is tier 2 a higher rate of pension
So if you get tier one and can’t teach again but can do something else
Has anyone explained how this works ?
I am going to speak to an advisor from the MS society re I’ll health to make sure I have all the details
Hope you’re doing ok and any advice greatly received.
Shelly x
Hi Shelly,
Tier 1 is fine with me, to be awarded Tier 2 means you can not undertake any form of paid employment.
Tier 1 means you can access your accrued benefits with no penalty for early retirement (the number on your benefits statement first page)
Tier 2 will is a higher payment- it would be what you have accrued and up to 50% of what you would have accrued if you had worked until pensionable age. Very hard to get- mainly for terminal illnesses.
There is an information booklet on the Teacher Pension website which is a useful read- there are also copies of the forms on there as well.
I was lucky and fully supported by my HT to go down this route. The best advice (which I ignored) my Union gave me was not to resign- I left school last Aug so school could recruit a new DHT, however due to various holdups I still haven’t received any pension payments yet- hence no income for four months. They have confirmed today my pension will be backdated to 1st September.
I believe most unions have information sheets on the process- be prepared to chase various professionals regularly along the way!
Hope this is useful
Nicky
Hi Nicky
Thanks so much for your reply. I think it’s much the same process in Scotland as in England. I’ve an appointment with the council OH on Monday to discuss. Our situations are similar so I feel reassured after hearing your outcome.
Cheers!
Anna