BGCM EC May 2017

 you have 10 years' Pensionable Service.

Whether or not you qualify for an ill-health pension is decided by the Trustees, and they must take advice from a registered medical practitioner appointed by them for the purpose of assisting with this decision. To qualify, the Trustees must be satisfied that you are (and will continue to be) incapable of carrying on your occupation because of a physical or mental impairment, that you have in fact ceased work, and that your earning capacity has been substantially impaired. Your occupation for these purposes means the carrying out of any duties that might be assigned to you under the terms of your contract of employment. If you qualify for an ill-health pension, a notional period of Pensionable Service will be added to your actual Pensionable Service, meaning that your pension will be calculated as if you had been able to continue in Pensionable Service until your Normal Retirement Age. The actuarial reduction that is usually applied in the case of early retirement, described above, will not be made. You should note that the Trustees will periodically review your pension to check that you still qualify for an ill-health pension. If your condition has improved to the extent that you could perform the duties you previously performed, or if you do not co-operate with the Trustees' review, you pension may be reduced or stopped.

Can I retire later?

With the GFTU's consent, you may remain in employment after your Normal Retirement Age. That is a matter for the GFTU to decide, and the Trustees cannot influence its decision.

If you do, you can choose to have your pension calculated and paid in either of the following ways. You will have to choose before your Normal Retirement Age, and you will only be able to change your mind later if the Trustees agree.

 You can decide to continue paying contributions. If you do, your pension will be calculated in the normal way and paid to you when you retire.

You should note that the maximum pension limits described in Section 16 will apply and, in particular, your pension can never exceed two-thirds of your Final Pensionable Pay at retirement.  You can decide to stop paying contributions and not draw your pension. If you choose this option, your benefits will be paid when you retire but will be paid at an increased rate, to account for the fact that the payment of your pension has been delayed. The amount of the uplift will be determined by the Trustees, who will take advice from the Scheme Actuary.

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