Ill health retirement guidance for employers

What employers need to do in the case of Ill health retirement for active members of the scheme.

Overview of the ill health retirement process

The full procedure for monitoring sickness, following your employer's policy, and then looking into ill health retirement can be a long process. Below is an overview that defines who does what during that process.

  1. You must ensure they have an independent registered medical practitioner (IRMP) approved by the pension services manager.
  2. Provide Pension Services with the doctor's details and an example of their signature for approval, before you refer your employee's case.
  3. You should monitor sickness and, when appropriate, request that the IRMP assess the member using the questions in the ill health certificate. You will need to provide some evidence regarding their job role.
  4. The IRMP should complete part B of the ill health certificate and supply an accompanying report.
  5. You must ensure that the IRMP's report is consistent with the answers on the certificate, that they have answered the correct questions, and that their opinions are not perverse.
  6. You must decide if the member is entitled to an ill health pension and, if so, which tier.
  7. You must agree on the last day of service and inform the member.
  8. You must complete the ill health certificate form and forward it to Pension Services. Make sure the form includes:
    • supporting reports from the IRMP
    • the member's annual rate of assumed pensionable pay (AAPP)
  9. Complete the full leaver information on the i-Connect return.
  10. Pension Services will contact the member to explain the available choices.

Note that the medical certificates outline the process and will guide you through it. You may also find the members' guide to Ill health retirement helpful.