Retirement on Medical Grounds - Teachers and non-teaching staff
- Published on: 5 November 2020
- Last updated on: 15 April 2025
What retirement on medical grounds is
While in pensionable service, a teacher may apply for retirement pension benefit on medical grounds. The application process involves a medical assessment by the Occupational Health Service (OHS). This establishes if the teacher is medically incapacitated and, if so, that the medical issue is likely to be permanent.
Special needs assistants, certain caretakers and certain clerical officers may apply for retirement on medical grounds having:
- developed a medical condition
- formed the view that he or she is permanently incapacitated
- formed the view that the medical issue is likely to be permanent
Eligibility
Primary, secondary, community or comprehensive school teachers, special needs assistants, certain caretakers and certain clerical officers must:
- be in pensionable service
- have completed 5 years actual pensionable service (2 years of actual service if a member of the Single Pension Scheme)
- have suffered the illness while in service
Timeframe for making application for retirement on Medical Grounds
An application for retirement pension benefit on medical grounds may be made by a teacher who:
- is serving in a pensionable post or is on approved leave of absence from such a post, including approved unpaid leave or absence on Temporary Rehabilitation Remuneration (TRR)
- has completed 5 years actual pensionable service
- has completed 2 years actual pensionable service if a member of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme
An application for retirement on medical grounds received from a teacher who is no longer in pensionable service or whose leave of absence, including absence related to illness, is not approved, cannot be considered.
Applicants for retirement pension benefit on medical grounds must meet these criteria and attend for a medical assessment with the OHS. The decision to approve or reject an application is based on the recommendation of the OHS.
Medical reports
Medical reports must be provided with TMED1.
Occupational Health Service
The Occupational Health Service provides a service to the department which includes assessments in respect of retirement on medical grounds.
Teachers
Apply
Form TMED1 is initiated by you. The form is then given to your treating physician for completion. The form provides for a Doctor to Doctor Report. All documentation is then sent to the Occupational Health Service provider by your treating doctor. A Specialist Doctor’s Report may be included with a Doctor to Doctor report if you are attending a specialist doctor.
Form RETD1 is for completion by you and is returned to the department for administrative purposes.
Please read Ill Health Retirement information below before completing the application forms.
To apply for retirement on medical grounds please see:
Return to:
Pensions Unit, Department of Education, Cornamaddy, Athlone, Co Westmeath, N37X659
Non-Teaching Staff
Apply
Form TMED 2 is initiated by you. The form is then given to your treating physician for completion. The form provides for a Doctor to Doctor Report. All documentation is then sent to the Occupational Health Service provider by your treating doctor. A Specialist Doctor’s Report may be included with Doctor to Doctor report if you are attending a specialist doctor.
Form RETD 2 is for completion by you and is returned to the department for administrative purposes.
To apply for retirement on medical grounds please see:
Return to:
Pensions Unit, Department of Education, Cornamaddy, Athlone, Co Westmeath, N37X659