Serious ill-health retirement
What do we mean by serious ill-health?
Under the SAUL Rules, and government legislation, serious ill health means that your life expectancy is less than one year. If this applies to you, you can ask to retire from SAUL Start on serious-ill-health grounds at any age. SAUL Start doesn’t offer ill-health retirement unless you’re seriously ill but if you’re older than the minimum retirement age, you can access your SAUL Start pension pot. The minimum retirement age is currently 55.
How do I apply for serious ill-health retirement?
You’ll need to complete our application formOpens in new tab and give us information about your health that shows your life expectancy is less than a year. We’ll also need a report from your consultant or another medical specialist who’s been treating you.
The report should include:
- how your illness affects your day-to-day life
- the treatment you’ve had so far and any that’s planned for the future
- your prognosis
- your test results, and
- any appointments you’ve had recently.
If there’s anything else you think we should know about your health or your circumstances, please tell us when you apply. Telling us as much as you can when you apply helps us deal with your application quickly.
You can find out more in our serious ill-health retirementOpens in new tab guide.
The guide tells you how to apply, who decides if you can retire, what you might get from SAUL Start and what to think about before you apply.
If you’re paying in to SAUL when you become ill, please speak to your employer about serious-ill-health retirement.
If you’re no longer paying in, please contact us. We’re here to help.
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