G
gogogirl
Guest
Hi,
I just joined the forums but I have been reading them for a good while.
I am in a stressful situation at the moment and would greatly appreciate any advice.
I am working in a local authority for the last five years as an architect (I joined in 2007). I have been diagnosed with a chronic illness and have had 5 months sick leave in the last year. The Council medical doctor has raised retirement but I've said no (I want to get advice)
Although I am working five years here I have been working a reduced roster due to my illness and I only have 3.99 years pensionable service. I am currently tansferring a private pension which buys me .5 of a year so we can say that I have 4.5 years pensionable service.
I can't think of retirement until I reach the 5 years pensionable service. I discussed my reduced roster with HR and I can start purchasing notional service in November.
My question is.
I am afraid to raise a query of my rights with HR as I am afraid that asking them about retirement on medical grounds gives them too much info that could go against me?
Should I wait until I reach the 5 years (early 2013) and then start proceedings? Or given that I am there 5 years and qualify to purchase notional service, can I retire on medical grounds now? Will they take everything into account and help me reach the 5 years pensionable service or would they try to see my retirement as the <5years service and attempt to push me out without the pension?
I have all of these questions but I don't know who to ask without risking my HR dept knowing my intentions.
Are queries to a superanuation dept in a local authority treated confidentially or is the information shared with HR?
Sorry for the long post but this is causing me so much anxiety and I can't find anywhere that can answer my queries.
I just joined the forums but I have been reading them for a good while.
I am in a stressful situation at the moment and would greatly appreciate any advice.
I am working in a local authority for the last five years as an architect (I joined in 2007). I have been diagnosed with a chronic illness and have had 5 months sick leave in the last year. The Council medical doctor has raised retirement but I've said no (I want to get advice)
Although I am working five years here I have been working a reduced roster due to my illness and I only have 3.99 years pensionable service. I am currently tansferring a private pension which buys me .5 of a year so we can say that I have 4.5 years pensionable service.
I can't think of retirement until I reach the 5 years pensionable service. I discussed my reduced roster with HR and I can start purchasing notional service in November.
My question is.
I am afraid to raise a query of my rights with HR as I am afraid that asking them about retirement on medical grounds gives them too much info that could go against me?
Should I wait until I reach the 5 years (early 2013) and then start proceedings? Or given that I am there 5 years and qualify to purchase notional service, can I retire on medical grounds now? Will they take everything into account and help me reach the 5 years pensionable service or would they try to see my retirement as the <5years service and attempt to push me out without the pension?
I have all of these questions but I don't know who to ask without risking my HR dept knowing my intentions.
Are queries to a superanuation dept in a local authority treated confidentially or is the information shared with HR?
Sorry for the long post but this is causing me so much anxiety and I can't find anywhere that can answer my queries.