thanks for your replies. Mike your comment re transitional protection and ESA is particularly reassuring, as I would probably lose all esa if they started taking my nhs pension into account. Though as I've just heard I won't now qualify for state pension til i'm 66, I will lose out at the end (I realise that is based on the assumption that I would go into the ESA support group - though there is little realistic chance of me improving sufficiently to return to work (if there was I wouldn't have got an ill-health retirement pension at the age of 44!) I appreciate that doesn't mean ATOS will agree........)

Hello, I've just received form BF85A (changes which may affect your benefit for IB & SDA) asking me to detail what other benefits I'm on and any changes they need to know about. It also specifically asks about Pension Income. I've never been asked about my occupational benefit before - i started receiving IB before 6th April 2001, so remained exempt from having it taken into account. Checking the accompanying booklet, it specifies that the pension income rules do not apply to me because of this. My question is, should i put that i receive the pension on the form (with or without details) or as i'm exempt from taking it into account do i just leave it blank? Relatedly, I have tried on several occasions from different sources to try to find out what will happen regarding my occupational pension when my migration happens. I'm not clear whether the exemption loses its validity once i'm on ESA. I really appreciate any advice/views about the above.