HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is encouraging tens of thousands of individuals to verify their eligibility for a State Pension boost. It appears that some parents who claimed Child Benefit prior to 2000 are missing out on State Pension payments due to gaps in their National Insurance records.
Primarily, women nearing or at State Pension age are being urged by HMRC to check for any discrepancies in their National Insurance record and top up their State Pension free of charge. Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) was applied to the National Insurance (NI) records of those who claimed Child Benefit between 1978 and 2000, safeguarding their State Pension.
This reduced the number of qualifying years required for a person with caring responsibilities to receive the full Basic State Pension. HRP was superseded by National Insurance credits in 2010.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, potentially affecting their State Pension entitlement.
HMRC and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are collaborating to identify those affected and encourage them to make a claim for HRP so their records can be updated, reports the Daily Record.
HMRC has already contacted 257,000 pensioners who could have HRP missing from their NI record and is now reaching out to those under State Pension age, urging them to use the eligibility checker on GOV. UK.
If individuals find that Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) is absent from their National Insurance record, it’s essential to realise this doesn’t instantaneously suggest their State Pension calculation is erroneous. However, the likelihood increases, especially for those who took significant time off work to care for their family.
Should a claim prove successful, HMRC will proceed with updating that person’s NI record, leading the DWP to reassess their State Pension entitlement. This could result in an increase or no change in State Pension amounts based on individual circumstances.
Those already of State Pension age may also be entitled to a payment of arrears.
Verifying eligibility and placing a claim can be done via GOV. UK, typically taking approximately 15 minutes.
Applications by post are also accepted using form CF411.
On the matter, James Murray, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, commented: “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.”
Adding to the discourse, Pensions Minister Emma Reynolds MP 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.”
HMRC has clarified that individuals need not wait for a letter to make a claim. They can verify their National Insurance record online or via the free and secure HMRC app.
There’s no need to apply for HRP if the missing year has already been factored into your State Pension calculation, or if you’re above State Pension age and already receiving the full Basic State Pension amount.
If you first claimed Child Benefit after May 2000, you won’t be affected and there’s no need to contact HMRC as parents were required to include their NI number on their Child Benefit claim forms.
Additional important information
For those who reached State Pension age before April 6, 2010, the number of full tax years in which you received HRP were used to reduce the number of qualifying years needed to get a full Basic State Pension (up to a maximum of 20 years). To get a full Basic State Pension, a woman needed 39 qualifying years and a man needed 44.
If you reached State Pension age after April 6, 2010, full tax years of HRP have been converted into National Insurance credits, these are used to build qualifying years for State Pension.
The fastest way to claim missing Home Responsibilities Protection is online at GOV. UK. However, you can also call the National Insurance Helpline on 0300 200 3500 for assistance.
