Check you’re not missing State Pension payments
During Pensions Awareness week, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging tens of
thousands of people to check if they are eligible to boost their State Pension.
Some parents who claimed Child Benefit before 2000 are missing out on State Pension
payments they are entitled to because of gaps in their National Insurance records.
HMRC is urging those affected, who are mainly women at, or approaching, State Pension
age, to check for gaps in their National Insurance record and top up their State Pension for
free.
Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) was applied to the National Insurance (NI) records
of those who claimed Child Benefit between 1978 and 2000, to protect their State Pension. It
reduced the number of qualifying years a person with caring responsibilities needed to
receive the full basic State Pension. It was replaced by National Insurance credits in 2010.
However, if someone claimed Child Benefit before May 2000 and did not provide their NI
Number on their claim, HRP may not have been applied and their State Pension entitlement
could have been affected.
If people are missing HRP from their NI record, it doesn’t automatically mean their State
Pension calculation is incorrect, but it does increase the possibility, particularly if they spent
a number of years away from work to raise a family.
HMRC and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are working to identify those
people affected and encourage them to make a claim for HRP so their records can be
amended.
People can check their eligibility and make a claim on GOV.UK and takes about 15 minutes
to complete. They can also claim by post using form CF411.
James Murray, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, said:
“The State Pension is the foundation of state support for people in retirement. We are urging
people to check their National Insurance records to make sure they will receive the pension
they deserve.”
HMRC has already written to 257,000 pensioners who could have HRP missing from their NI
record and is now contacting those under State Pension age to encourage them to use our
eligibility checker. Customers do not need to wait for the letter before they make a claim.
Emma Reynolds, Minister for Pensions, said:
“The Government’s priority is to ensure pensioners have security and dignity in retirement. I
strongly encourage anyone who thinks they are missing out to check their eligibility and
apply for Home Responsibilities Protection – taking just a few minutes out of your day now
could mean a boost to your retirement.”
People can check their National Insurance record online or via the free and secure HMRC
app.
Individuals do not need to apply for HRP if the missing year has already been counted as a
qualifying year for their State Pension calculation, or are above State Pension age and
already receive the full basic State Pension amount. If someone first claimed Child Benefit
after May 2000, they will not be affected and do not need to contact HMRC because parents
were required to include their NI number on their Child Benefit claim forms.
If a customer makes a successful claim, HMRC will update their NI record and DWP will
recalculate their State Pension entitlement. State Pension entitlements will either increase or
remain the same, depending on an individual’s circumstances. Some customers over State
Pension age may also receive some arrears payments.
More information on the correction of National Insurance records and State Pension
entitlement.
There is also extra support available for people who need it.
