OP2
NEW GUIDANCE FOR ILL HEALTH RETIREMENT – DELPHI STUDY 2025
- Naleem, E. Hirons, C. Piper, S. Sheard, Health Partners Group, UK
Background
Ill health retirement (IHR) allows early access to a pension if an individual is permanently unable to work due to a health condition.(1) Permanent incapacity is considered an impairment that adversely impacts capability and will continue until normal pension age despite reasonable treatment. Assessing permanency is often challenging, particularly for younger applicants or those with multi-morbidity.
Aims
The Delphi methodology was adapted and integrated into an action research design by the SOM Pensions Specialist Interest Group to:
- Identify challenging areas for IHR and produce expanded guidance.
- Recommend a unifying approach with relevant standards and criteria.
Methods
The study encompassed five stages:
- Scoping by an expert panel to define the problem
- Refinement of key questions through repeated rounds of questionnaires with subsequent analysis and feedback to streamline the focus.
- Development of guidance and a supporting decision logic tool
- Testing and validation using a selection of model case studies.
- Wider implementation and training.
Results
The multi-organisational experts developed guidance on: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, fibromyalgia, Long Covid syndrome, musculoskeletal pain, major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, functional neurological conditions, cancer (in remission or with curative intent) and multiple sclerosis.
An Assistive Pensions Tool (APT) was developed to support decision making in IHR and is in the process of being validated.
Conclusions
This expert collaboration aims to bring new recommendations in IHR practice and provide multidisciplinary practical support. The APT may be of particular use in navigating difficult cases, justifying decisions, supporting appeals and training, but ultimately should not replace clinical decision making.
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