Protecting your state pension whilst caring for a child under 12

If you're a parent or carer of a child under 12 and receive child benefit, you're in luck. You'll automatically get national insurance credits that contribute to your State Pension, even if you're not working or haven't paid enough National Insurance contributions. These credits help you build up your qualifying years for a State Pension.

To receive the full State Pension, you'll need 35 qualifying years. It's easy to check how many years you have by creating a personal tax account or downloading the HMRC app. If you're missing any years, you can top them up.

Make sure the right person is claiming child benefit. Typically, it's best for the lower earner to claim, as they’ll get a National Insurance credit if their earnings are under £123 per week. This credit is something they wouldn't automatically get otherwise.

If you don't need the National Insurance credits but are claiming child benefit, your husband, wife, or partner can apply to transfer the credits.

Additionally, if you claimed child benefit for a child under 16 between 6 May 1978, and 5 April 2010, but didn't receive Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) and have therefore  missed National Insurance years, you can apply to correct this. Visit Apply for Home Responsibilities Protection - GOV.UK to get started or get in touch