Hi 
everyone. I am currently in the early stages of an MS diagnoses. I have had to stop working as a teacher - after 30 years - and have been advised to apply for ill health retirement. It has been difficult getting my head around everything and I am finding the form filling very onerous. Has anyone had experience of putting together the medical evidence side of the form. I am struggling to know what to use. I have a letter from the clunic in charge of my case describing my condition and its impact, and I am seeing my GP to write a report using the Teachers Pension proforma. What experiences have other people had and what do I need to ensure my application will be successful. Thanks all.
Hi, I had to take ill health retirement from the TPS two years ago.
First piece of advice is to speak to your union- I was with the NAHT as I was a DHT. They had lots of fact sheets and gave great advice.
Secondly you need to have an Occupational Health assessment to prove you are unable to teach. They make a recommendation- I had a Tier 1 recommendation from OH. Then you add in all your medical information. It is a horrible process and I found it all really stressful, however two years later it’s the best thing I could have done. I have my pension payment each month but more importantly I am not stressed, working 60+ hour weeks and have time to do the things to keep me as healthy as possible. Good luck
Hi Nicky 398,
Thank you so much for your advice. You have nailed it when you say the process is horrible. It seems an unnecessarily stressful process, designed, no doubt, to deter people from applying or resulting in a failed application.
My GP is being very supportive but waiting for the consultants to give a definitive decision is tied up in the machinations of an overworked and stretched NHS.
I am having my OH assessment next week. Your advice about using my union is excellent. I will certainly look into that.
So glad to see that your payments are in place and that your life is the better for it. Stay well! Thanks again.
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Hello to all and I hope you are as well as can be.
I have just recently been awarded ill health retirement from the council, I have worked in my primary school for 20 years and have had MS for 16.
My MS really only became problematic in the past 12/18 months when I found school just not the best place for me.
Walking stick was fine for a couple for a couple of years but not enough now.
My management were amazing and kept me right the whole way through this process.
I started the ill health retirement process in February and found out last week that I was given it.
The school put me in contact with the OH and I had a few telephone conversations with them.
I just had to send my GP/Neurologist address/contact details to them and they requested the necessary records etc.
I am awaiting the paperwork from the council to tie things up which hopefully happens soon.
I am very fortunate that the process has been fine for me and I hope things work out for well for everyone on this journey.
It is the end of an era but I am keeping as positive as can be and am grateful to all the lovely people on this wonderful site who have kept me right and listened to my worries.
Much love
Maryx
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Thank you Mary for your message. Great news that you got your ill health retirement pension. I do feel it is an onerous procedure, designed to make it difficult to succeed but your story and Nicky398’s, have given me confidence.
I got my diagnosis confirmed yesterday which now helps with the process, plus my symptoms have come on a pace since the first presentation last October. 30 years in the teaching profession - a career I adored - has come to an end.
I’m just collating everything and have an occupational health appointment today, and a union advice meeting later on today.
Thank you for giving me some optimism when everything seemed so dark, my world seemed to shrink around me but now I have hope.
Stay well and enjoy life.
Mary xx
Mary, I truly hope that today goes well with OH and union.
Stay as positive as you can and be honest. MS is a bugger and we would dearly love to be in school where we belong but it just is not possible anymore.
You take care and thinking of you today.
Much love
Maryx