Ill Health Retirement
Information about ill health retirement
In this section you will find information about the benefits payable from the Unified Scheme if you become too ill to work.
What is ill health retirement?
Active Members
If you are an active member with at least two years’ membership of the Unified Scheme and are too ill to work in your present job, you may be able to retire early and take your pension benefits. The Unified Scheme provides two levels of ill health retirement which are dependent on the severity of your condition and the likelihood of you being able to work again:
- Lower Tier – provides an immediate payment of pension if you are permanently incapable of doing your own job or a comparable job.
- Upper Tier – provides benefits if you are incapable of any gainful employment.
Please refer to the Active Members Ill Health Retirement factsheet for more information on the criteria and how to apply.
Deferred Members
If you are a deferred member with a pension in the Unified Scheme that has been preserved for claiming when you retire, who is deemed no longer able to work in any capacity, you may be eligible to claim early payment of your pension, if your circumstances meet certain criteria set out in the provisions of the Unified Scheme.
Please refer to the Deferred Members Ill Health Retirement factsheet for more information.
Deferred members can make an application by completing the Deferred Ill Health Retirement Application Form.
You don’t have to be over 55 to receive an ill health pension as these can be awarded to any member at any age.
Re-employment after Ill Health Retirement
Ill health retirement pensions are awarded because members were deemed permanently medically unfit to work in the public service or with any other employer for any further Gainful Employment or in a Comparable Job.
Depending on your age and the Ill Health Tier you have been awarded, re-employment can affect the amount of ill health retirement pension you are entitled to, so if you are awarded an ill health retirement pension and are subsequently re-employed please check with the PSPA to see if your pension will be affected.
A pensioner member who is in receipt of a Lower Tier ill health pension must inform the PSPA in writing if they take up their previous role or comparable alternative employment.
A pensioner member who is in receipt of a Upper Tier ill health pension must inform the PSPA in writing if they take up any gainful employment before age 65.
How do I make an appeal if my claim for an Ill Health retirement benefit is rejected by the PSPA?
The criteria for payment of an ill health retirement pension from your scheme are strict. The PSPA will reject claims when all of the criteria is not met.
In its determination, the PSPA will explain to you which elements of the scheme’s criteria are not been met and point to the medical evidence and reports that it is relying on.
You can appeal in writing against the PSPA’s determination.
It is important to note that the burden of proof rests with the members and as such it is your responsibility to gather all the medical evidence you believe will be relevant to support your appeal.
Please refer to the PSPA’s Appeals Process: Ill Health Retirement and Injury Benefits, for more information on how and by when you should do this. It is possible to appeal twice through this resolution procedure. However, if you believe your case has been mishandled you can refer it to the Isle of Man Pensions Ombudsman. Appeals are time bound, so please check the guide to ensure you make your appeal within the time limits.
