Teachers Medical Pension and ESA

Got esa. Signed off by Shaw Trust Pathways to work till next January. Now got to have another WFHRA tomorrow. Then no doubt back to the jobcentre and Shaw Trust.
My question: I receive a Teachers Medical Pension (I retired early on grounds of ill health) This pension does not allow me to work any hours at all in any kind of employment or I will lose it. (They track it via your National Insurance number.) I certainly cannot afford to jeopardise my pension, which I worked and paid for for thirty years, as I am nearly 60 and will receive OAP next September at nearly 61. So what am I supposed to say if I get sent back to the Jobcentre/Shaw Trust and told to find a job - 'sorry, cant do it, will lose my teachers medical pension'? They would presumably instantly stop my benefit as I am unable to fulfill their requirement of wanting to find work? What do you think I should do - Thanks, Lainie x

Hi Lainie,

I'm afraid that we can't offer any information in relation to your teacher's pension as it's not a subject we cover at all.

Do bear in mind though that you are in receipt of ESA rather than JSA - there is not a requirement that you are actively seeking work in order to receive ESA.

The requirement is that you attend and take part in your WFHRA and then any work-focused interviews afterwards. But you action plan might be things like attending a pain clinic or condition management programme, improving typing skills or even just researching possible areas of employment.

It might also be worth contacting Shaw Trust and asking for a copy of any records on you including any record that you have already attended Pathways and been deferred.

Good luck,

Steve

Many thanks for your prompt reply, Steve, this is an excellent site! Luckily I was quite bright on the day I went to the Shaw Trust and got the chap there to photocopy the form they sent to the ESA saying I had been deferred until January 2011. Think I just wont mention my Teacher's Medical Pension!! Lainie x

I too receive a TP after ill health retirement. My IB is reduced to the magnificent sum of £7 per week because of the TP. It is hardly worth jumping through the hoops for!
Actually you can work but not in teaching....you have to inform TPA of your intention to work, they will then decide if it will affect your TP. Good luck.

Thanks for your reply, however, I would advise anybody on any kind of Teacher's Pension, whether medical or standard Retirement to check the latest newletter sent out with P60's. ALL work - whether in teaching or elsewhere is not allowed if you receive a Medical Pension, and if you receive a Retirement Pension you can lose this if you earn over a certain amount as a percentage of your previous salary. Hope you are enjoying retirement, even if on a pittance!