What Medical Conditions Qualify for Ill Health Retirement

What Is Ill Health Retirement?

Ill health retirement is when an individual stops working before the normal pension age due to a medical condition that makes it impossible to continue in their role. This form of retirement is not based on age or length of service but on a verified inability to work caused by long-term or permanent health issues. It is usually assessed and approved through occupational health processes and requires medical evidence.

To qualify, a person must show that their condition prevents them from performing their current job and, in some cases, any job within their skill set. The application process typically involves both employer and pension provider input, and medical assessments are used to determine whether the criteria are met.

Common Medical Conditions That May Qualify

There is no fixed list of conditions that guarantee ill health retirement. Instead, each case is considered individually based on how the condition affects a person’s ability to work. However, there are several types of conditions that are commonly approved when properly documented.

Chronic physical conditions such as severe arthritis, advanced multiple sclerosis, degenerative disc disease, chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia often meet the threshold if symptoms are debilitating and long-lasting. People living with heart disease, stroke recovery complications, or advanced respiratory conditions like COPD may also qualify if the physical demands of work can no longer be met safely or reliably.

Mental health conditions are also recognised, provided they are persistent and significantly impair function. Conditions like treatment-resistant depression, generalised anxiety disorder, PTSD and bipolar disorder can qualify, especially when they have not responded well to standard treatments or have resulted in long periods of absence from work.

Cancer is another common basis for ill health retirement. Depending on the stage, type and prognosis, individuals may qualify if treatment or the after-effects make a return to work unlikely or medically unadvised. Similarly, progressive neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease or motor neurone disease are typically strong grounds for retirement on ill health terms.

Other conditions that may be considered include chronic kidney disease, autoimmune disorders like lupus, severe diabetes complications, or any illness that causes substantial physical or cognitive decline. In all cases, it is the impact of the illness—not just the diagnosis—that is most important in the assessment.

The Assessment Process

The application for ill health retirement often begins when an individual, their GP or occupational health team recognises that continuing work is no longer viable. Medical evidence must be provided, usually including consultant letters, GP reports, and details of treatment plans. This is assessed by an independent occupational health advisor or medical professional appointed by the pension scheme.

The process can be thorough and sometimes lengthy. It includes a review of whether the condition is likely to improve, how it affects work capacity, and what reasonable adjustments have already been tried. In some cases, the individual may be assessed for partial ill health retirement—meaning they are unfit for their current role but could potentially undertake a different, less demanding position.

The level of pension benefits awarded will depend on the specific pension scheme rules and whether the condition is deemed permanent or likely to improve over time. In some cases, a person may be retired under a “tiered” system, with more generous benefits awarded if they are unable to return to any form of work at all.

It's About Capability, Not Just Diagnosis

Eligibility for ill health retirement isn’t based solely on a medical label. What really matters is whether the condition prevents someone from performing their job safely, consistently, and effectively — even with reasonable adjustments in place. Two people with the same diagnosis may receive different outcomes depending on how their illness affects their day-to-day function.

For example, someone with early-stage multiple sclerosis might still manage well at work, while another person with the same condition but more severe symptoms may no longer be able to meet the basic demands of their role. The same applies to mental health conditions: mild depression may not qualify, but chronic, treatment-resistant depression that causes extended absences and impairs judgement or communication could lead to approval.

Reasonable Adjustments Must Be Considered First

Before ill health retirement is considered, employers are expected to explore whether the individual can remain in employment with adjustments. This might include reduced hours, remote work, altered duties, or a change in role altogether. If adjustments allow the person to continue working, retirement may not be approved.

However, when adjustments are not enough to maintain workability, or when the condition is likely to worsen, retirement becomes a more viable option. It’s important to show that continued work — even in a different capacity — has been considered and ruled out through a structured process.

Progressive and Degenerative Conditions

Conditions that are progressive or degenerative are more likely to qualify for ill health retirement because they typically worsen over time. This includes illnesses like Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and late-stage cancer. These conditions often carry a clear medical prognosis that supports long-term incapacity.

Retirement may be granted earlier in these cases, especially when the condition is already interfering with work or when future deterioration is medically certain.

Mental Health Conditions Are Fully Recognised

There’s often uncertainty around whether mental health problems are treated as valid grounds for ill health retirement — but the answer is yes, they are. Long-term and severe conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe anxiety, PTSD, and clinical depression are considered on equal footing with physical illnesses.

The key factor is whether the condition impairs work performance significantly and whether it has proven resistant to treatment. Documentation from psychiatrists, psychologists, and long-term treatment history will support an application. Sudden breakdowns or temporary episodes may not qualify unless they become part of a longer-term pattern of incapacity.

Unseen or Fluctuating Conditions

Some conditions don’t have obvious outward symptoms but still qualify due to their impact. This includes chronic pain conditions, migraines, inflammatory bowel disease (like Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis), long COVID, or severe forms of ME/CFS. These are sometimes harder to prove because symptoms may come and go, but with strong medical evidence and a documented history of absence or performance issues, they can support a claim.

Multiple Conditions Together Can Qualify

Often, it’s not a single diagnosis but a combination of health issues that render someone unfit for work. For instance, someone might have mild arthritis and moderate depression, but the combined effect of pain, low mood, and fatigue may mean they can no longer function reliably in the workplace. This is especially true for older workers or those in physically or mentally demanding jobs.

Final Thought

Ill health retirement is not just for the most visibly ill — it exists to protect anyone whose health has eroded their capacity to work, whether the problem is physical, mental, or both. The system recognises that every person’s situation is unique, and the impact of illness goes beyond a diagnosis. With the right evidence and a clear understanding of work limitations, many conditions can support a successful application.