Provided there is satisfactory medical evidence that you are, and will continue to be, unable to work again in any capacity, your pension can be paid immediately, regardless of your age. Guidance on eligibility is available on request.
If you are a member of the final salary option, your pension will be calculated on your final pensionable earnings and pensionable service up to the date of early payment plus half of the pensionable service you would have completed between the date of early payment and age 65.
If you are a member of one of the CARE options, your pension will be calculated on your revalued earnings to the date of your early retirement, plus half of the pension you would have earned up to age 65 assuming your final pensionable earnings at your early retirement date had continued unchanged to age 65.
If you have been a member of different options within the scheme the calculation will be adjusted appropriately, and the enhancement from your early retirement date to age 65 will be calculated according to whether you are a Final Salary or CARE member.
Whichever option you are a member of, there will be no reduction to your pension for early payment.
If your pension starts early due to ill-health, you still have the option to take a tax-free lump sum.
If a pension is awarded under these provisions, the Committee will monitor any earnings you receive and may adjust your pension if you are later able to take other employment. The Committee may periodically request updated medical evidence on your state of health and has the discretion to reduce or suspend your pension if your eligibility changes.
You may also apply for early payment if you are too ill to continue working and have a deferred pension after leaving your employment or leaving the Scheme. In this case, if your application is successful, your deferred pension will not be reduced for early payment.