Early Retirement Due To Medical Condition

[Sankaran]

One year ago I went througth a major operation to remove both my paotid glands and I was diagnosed as having severe primary Sjogren's syndrom. It causes severe dry mouth and dry eye condition. Also, have severe arthritis conditionand type 2 diabetes. My profession is teaching - find it difficult to keep up with long teaching sessions and get lethargic and tired before the end of the day.

Have about 3 years to go for retirement, but with the kind of work load I am given, find it hard to keep up. In recent time, my blood pressure has been up with the weakening of the kidneys.

I am having regular medical follow ups with various medical specialists.

Is there any ways I could have an early retirement due to medical conditions.

Thanks

[carrot99]

If you are in the teachers' pension scheme this may be useful

https://www.teacherspensions.co.uk/members/the-scheme/active-teacher/ill-health.aspx

[Postdog]

In theory yes, but it depends on your employer I suppose. Sounds like it is local authority and I wouldn't see a problem there. The issue may be down to whether you can work in another capacity. Have asked the union?

[factor-fiction]

You need to apply to the scheme. It may be difficult to argue you are unable to work at all though.
If they say no there is an alternative of retiring now and taking your pension three years earlier than you might otherwise have done- there may be a small actuarial reduction but if you've been in a long time you should still get a decent pension.
Or you could ask to reduce your hours to maybe 3 days a week or 5 x half days