Private pension
Author
Discussion

LosingGrip

Original Poster:

8,861 posts

188 months

Friday 3rd May 2019
quotequote all
I'm after some advice. I might need to speak to a financial adviser some when, but know there are some knowledgeable people on here.

Pending some final checks, I'll be starting a new job in July. I've had to do a medical for it which has shown a problem with my back (I already knew about it). As such they may not let me join the work pension. The force medical DR is going to review my medical notes, I may need to have a full medical with them.

They might turn round and say its all good and I can join the pension, in which case happy days.

They might say I can't join it, in which case I'll need to sort a private one out.

I haven't got a clue were to start. Any advice would be greatly welcome smile

JulianPH

10,084 posts

143 months

Friday 3rd May 2019
quotequote all
I might be missing something obvious, but why would a bad back result in you not being enrolled in the pension?

LosingGrip

Original Poster:

8,861 posts

188 months

Friday 3rd May 2019
quotequote all
If I'm honest I'm not 100% sure. Its with the Police. There is the chance it may be a reduced pension as well (whatever that is, no one seems to really know). It's more just to start looking now rather than later and rushing into things.

The Leaper

5,704 posts

235 months

Friday 3rd May 2019
quotequote all
In my professional pensions experience I've never seen a medical condition being a barrier to entry to a pension plan. It could be that any associated death benefits may be an issue for you. If you are barred from specifically pension membership you could consider looking into the eligibility provisions and if they are OK and you meet them, then you could raise a formal complaint against the decision of the relevant party to exclude you.

R.

JulianPH

10,084 posts

143 months

Friday 3rd May 2019
quotequote all
I agree with The Leaper above.

I've never heard of this. What have they said that makes you consider this may be the case?

LosingGrip

Original Poster:

8,861 posts

188 months

Friday 3rd May 2019
quotequote all
JulianPH said:
I agree with The Leaper above.

I've never heard of this. What have they said that makes you consider this may be the case?
When I went for my medical they said they sign off for three things.

To take part in the fitness test (signed off)
To join (signed off)
To join the medical (not signed off yet).

I spoke to someone from HR yesterday at my fitness test and they said that they only get a yes or no to the above but she didn't know the result of mine (although I've been given the all clear for the above two).

I've also heard that I can join the pension and if I have to medically retire earlier due to any back issues, I get less of a pension. If I retire as normal or for another medical reason, I get the normal one. I've also heard from a friend who is a tutor that hes heard of people possibly having the above, but never known it happen.

As you can properly tell, I don't really understand any of it ha.

The Leaper

5,704 posts

235 months

Friday 3rd May 2019
quotequote all
LG,

From your latest post, things may be a little clearer.

Looks like you pension membership is available to you. However, if you need to retire early due to back related issues then your pension will be reduced. This looks like the administrators are applying something like a pre-existing condition exclusion. This is highly irregular and should be checked out against the eligibility and benefits provisions of the plan's governing documents.

Maybe what you've been told is that if you retire because of back issues and do so early, you will qualify for an ill health early retirement pension. That may be less than the normal amount but again that's irregular and should be checked out against plan's documents.

R

JulianPH

10,084 posts

143 months

Friday 3rd May 2019
quotequote all
LosingGrip said:
JulianPH said:
I agree with The Leaper above.

I've never heard of this. What have they said that makes you consider this may be the case?
When I went for my medical they said they sign off for three things.

To take part in the fitness test (signed off)
To join (signed off)
To join the medical (not signed off yet).

I spoke to someone from HR yesterday at my fitness test and they said that they only get a yes or no to the above but she didn't know the result of mine (although I've been given the all clear for the above two).

I've also heard that I can join the pension and if I have to medically retire earlier due to any back issues, I get less of a pension. If I retire as normal or for another medical reason, I get the normal one. I've also heard from a friend who is a tutor that hes heard of people possibly having the above, but never known it happen.

As you can properly tell, I don't really understand any of it ha.
Right, now I understand!

It is not about whether you can join the pension (or not), it is about the terms of the pension if you have to retire early based upon a pre-existing medical condition.

TBH, I still don't believe you can be discriminated upon with your pension based upon a pre-existing medical condition, so believe you may be referring to the Police Healthcare Scheme or some other connected benefits.

Even then this doesn't sound right if you are moving from one force to another as the back condition could have been related to earlier work within the Police (obviously I am making assumptions here.

JulianPH

10,084 posts

143 months

Friday 3rd May 2019
quotequote all
I wrote the above whilst The Leaper posted the response above. I believe we are both saying the same thing! smile

LosingGrip

Original Poster:

8,861 posts

188 months

Friday 3rd May 2019
quotequote all
Thanks smile. I'll certainly look into it all when/if I get to that stage smile.