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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/27/2010 Posts: 136 Location: Stockton on Tees, Cleveland
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Hi everyone
I have been struggling with my job as a History teacher in a secondary school for the last two years and have been on the sick since November. I tried a phased return to work in April but caught a chest and throat infection which laid me up and needed three courses of antibiotics to clear it. I have been through the Occupational Health meetings with the nurse who finally referred me to their doctor. I saw the doctor on Wednesday and he has agreed that early retirement due to ill health is the right way to go. My authorities H R department had the report from him within 3 hours and were on the phone to me straight away to download the forms and apply to the Teachers Pensions Agency. They want me to go quickly now as the doctor has said I will never be fit to work. I am really happy, but really anxious too. It is finally happening. It is okay being on the sick and getting paid each month, but retirement at 49 is really scary, even though I know I cant work and I am being unfair to the school and to the kids. Anyway, will let you know how long it takes until I am finally a lady of leisure. Then I am off to write book number 2 and to finish my PhD.
Keep your fingers crossed for me!!
Louise
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/30/2010 Posts: 507 Location: Gravesend
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Hi Louise ... great news that it is progressing in the right direction . There are always options for you and volunteering if you feel upto it . And i am sure there is a role out there that will satisfy your needs .. if you have time for it what with a book and a Masters :O Every part of my body that i am capable of crossing is being crossed right now :) Rich "The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is like an eggs-and-ham breakfast: the chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/5/2010 Posts: 364 Location: mid glamorgan
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Hi Louise
Thats great news I know how much youve been through! Now finally you can put your mind to rest and concentrate on yourself, take care fingers are crossed x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 856
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Hi Louise
I agree- it is a shock being forced to retire, although I'm sure once you do, you'll never look back. I'm so pleased that things have moved quickly for you- we hear so many stories of others having to wait for a long time.
Thinkong of you
Maria x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 11/20/2010 Posts: 244 Location: Cornwall
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Hi Louise,
Scary and exciting at the same time, good place to be, keeps the adrenalin running and reminds you you're still alive! My friend took 14 years to finish her PhD, having 3 kids got in the way, but now you can be a Dr too! Good luck with it all
Sara
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 714
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Louise.
Well done. I am so pleased for you that you managed to get medical retirement. Do not feel guilty about retiring at 49 - enjoy!!!!
Jackie
xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Hello Louise
Glad that things have gone your way. I hope you will get a good
pension so that your monetary life does not change too much. I was off
work last year for 7 months, did the graded return but unable to get back
to a full time Insurance Manager. I now do just 12 hours pw. Like you say
feels very odd. I know I could not go back to the stressful job, yet I felt
I was letting myself and colleagues down. Bizarre how the brain plays
havoc.
Good wishes to you
Rose
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi Louise Pleased to hear things are heading in the right direction at last. Don't worry about retiring at 49 ... I was only 32! As Rich has said there's always volunteering roles to consider should you wish to do so. Hope things are soon sorted for you and you can move into the next phase of your life  Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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HI Louise, I am so pleased to hear your employers are finally listening to you. Don't worry about early retirement it's not your fault, given the choice of your career or RA I am sure I know what the answer would be. Good luck with your new venture and the PHD I am sure you will do very well in anything you choose to do. History is my daughters ambition too she loves it. Take care Lorna x 
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/7/2011
Posts: 66
Location: London
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Hi Louise
I was "retired" last year at 54 - which makes me feel a bit like a horse being put out to pasture. It was actually before I was formally diagnosed, but was having all sorts of problems. Anyway it's the best thing I ever did (even tho' I didn't really want to go to start with). I think my health has improved hugely as I'm not worrying about whether or not I'll be able to survive the tube journey every morning, stay upright through 12-14 hour days, or deal with people shouting at me without falling into pieces. And by & large I've found substitutes for all the things I thought I'd miss about work through volunteering etc. So all that's left to miss is the money, since I certainly don't miss the shouting! Make sure you push for the best package you can as it'll have to last you a long time - and read the small print to check things like getting index-linking before you're 55 as I think some public sector pensions exclude this. Polly
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/27/2010 Posts: 136 Location: Stockton on Tees, Cleveland
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Thanks everyone for your positive comments and support. Its a funny feeling and I have downloaded the forms but they are still sitting on my desk. I know I need to fill them in but part of me is scared to do it because that will be accepting that I am not as fit as I was. I know there are lots of other things I can be doing, such as writing my second book and completing my PhD, as well as getting in some voluntary work, but it is still scary. Even after a twenty minute conversation with my friend and Head of Faculty today where she was telling me all the bad things about the school and how I was lucky to be getting out, I still thought I dont feel lucky. Anyway, enough of this and I will try to fill in the forms tomorrow and get them sent off.....I definately will!! Louise 
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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Hi Louise, Look forward to your NEW venture, this is a new turning point for you and I am sure you will be very successful. Your comment about being told how lucky you were at getting out, I understand your reluctance. It has been forced upon you, you are not choosing too. But everything is meant and this is meant for you. Be positive and look forward. Lorna x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/7/2011
Posts: 66
Location: London
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Hi Louise,
Yes possibly not v sensitive to say you're 'lucky' to have chance to leave the career you've trained for etc etc so can understand why you don't feel lucky. But it should help you turn the page & move on, so do hope you've filled in the forms now? Polly
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/16/2011 Posts: 36 Location: Northumberland
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Good luck with this new chapter in your life. Different, but exciting, do something you have always wanted to do but never had the time, or energy, after working all day!
Hope it all settles down and you stop worrying about it soon.
Petra xxxx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
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Hi Louise
This is great news. You mustn't feel bad about retiring, it will be the best thing for you. You are going to be so busy with your Phd and your book, your feet won't touch the ground. I am retiring in 5 weeks and am a bit apprehensive. I teach adults with learning disabilities and there is a very emotional tie there, as I am sure there is with your schoolchildren, I will miss the people terribly but not the getting up and out by 8 am. It doesn't seem long since I could be up, shower, hair done, make up on, breakfast and out in half an hour....what happened? Oh yes! RA happened. Like you I intend to fill my days with other things. So Louise, enjoy your retirement and let me know when your book is published...I will be your first customer.
Good luck
Sheila x
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