Active members

Overview

Ill health retirement under the LGPS provides pensions for employees who:

• meet the eligibility criteria, and
• are permanently unable to perform their job.

This guidance focuses on active members applying for an ill health pension.

The LGPS regulations don’t require an active member to apply for benefits. Usually, the employer or a doctor used by the employer starts the process for an active employee. Employers decide if the employee qualifies for an ill health pension.

If an employee:

• has been away from work for a long time, or
• is unable to work due to injury,

the employer may terminate employment on health grounds. Ill health pension amounts depend on the tier granted. Employers must consult a Pension Fund approved doctor.

You can find an overview of the ill-health process for active members on our ill health resources page.

Detailed guidance

Employers should review two Ill-health pension guidance notes. Guidance Note 1, Appendix E, lists the necessary documents for the process.

• Qualifying period – at least two years in the LGPS or transferred pension rights.
• Permanent incapacity – to work at least until at least State Pension age.
• No immediate gainful employment – unable to start paid work of 30+ hours per week for at least 12 months.

Separate decisions apply for each job if the employee holds multiple contracts. They may qualify for ill health retirement in one job but not the other.

More information

You can find more information on our ill health resources page.

The LGPS also have some ill health bite size training modules on their regulations and guidance website.

You can also book a free ill health training webinar with us.