When an employee has a significant medical condition there may be further health deterioration that permanently affects their ability to perform their substantive role. At this time, it may be appropriate to consider early retirement before the age of 55 years or before reaching the age when the employee is able to take their pension. If they are a member of a pension scheme, they may be entitled to apply for ill health retirement (IHR).
Ill health retirement can occur when an employee has an illness that prevents them continuing to manage their normal job, or one that seriously impacts on their earning potential. If reasonable adjustments have already been made and these are no longer supporting the employee in the workplace, then it may be time to consider medical retirement. In some work situations, it is not always possible to provide reasonable adjustments.