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Wednesday, 3 October 2023

Pensions and retirement planning

Over 50s

Getting credits towards your State Pension

Sometimes you may not be able to pay National Insurance, for example you're ill, unemployed or caring for someone. In many cases, the government may give you credits towards your State Pension in respect of that period. Find out who can get credits, and whether you need to take action.

Protecting your State Pension with National Insurance credits

You may become entitled to State Pension based on credits received in respect of a period. You may become entitled to some basic State Pension based on credits alone. Depending on your situation, your credits may also contribute to an additional State Pension.

There are different ways of getting credits. You often receive the credits automatically but in some cases you need to take action to get them. Here are the different ways you can get National Insurance credits.

Credits for people aged 16 to 18

If you were aged 16 to 18 before 6 April 2010, you were usually credited automatically with National Insurance contributions. No new awards will be made from 6 April 2010.

These National Insurance credits count towards basic State Pension entitlement only (not additional State Pension).

You do not need to take any action to get the credits.

Credits for people in full-time training

If you are aged over 18 and in full-time training, you will get credits. This is provided the training is approved and does not last longer than a year.

Government sponsored courses are approved automatically. This does not apply to university students.

Theses credits count towards basic State Pension only (not additional State Pension).

If the training course is government sponsored, you do not need to take any action to get the credits. Otherwise, you will need to apply to Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

Credits for parents and carers

You may get credits if you are caring for someone.

You may get credits if you are:

  • getting Child Benefit for a child under 12
  • a registered foster carer
  • caring for one or more sick or disabled people for at least 20 hours a week

These credits count towards basic and additional State Pension. The credits are also worthwhile if you're self employed or you have low earnings because they help you become entitled to additional State Pension.

You do not normally need to take any action if you are already claiming:

  • Carer's Allowance
  • Child Benefit for a child under 12
  • Income Support and you are regularly and substantially engaged in caring

Otherwise, you need to apply for the credits.

See ‘Caring and your pension’ to find out more about credits for carers.

See ‘State Pensions for parents’ to find out more about credits for parents.

Specified Adult Childcare credits

New Specified Adult Childcare credits were introduced by the government from the 2011/2012 tax year. You may be able to get these credits if you care for a family member under 12 and you're an adult under State Pension age. These credits count towards basic State Pension and certain bereavement benefits.

You will have to claim the credits; they will not be added automatically to your NI contribution record. You can start to claim the credits for the tax year 2011/2012 in October 2012. Although they will not appear on your NI record or State Pension statement until after April 2013.

State Pension profiler

The State Pension profiler can help you find out whether you are affected by changes to the credits system. This simple tool will also help you estimate quickly how much basic State Pension you may become entitled to and when you can claim it. If you believe you need to apply for credits, you can call the Carer's Credit Enquiry Line on 0845 608 4321 (Textphone 0845 604 5312).

Credits for people who are unemployed but looking for work

If you are unemployed but looking for work you can get credits, provided you are:

  • claiming Jobseeker's Allowance
  • available for and actively searching for work but not in education or doing paid work for 16 hours or more

These credits count towards basic State Pension only (not additional State Pension).

If you are receiving Jobseeker's Allowance, you do not have to take any action. Otherwise, you must contact Jobcentre Plus.

Credits for people who are ill, disabled or on maternity leave

If you are unable to work because of illness, disability or maternity, you can get credits. You need to be claiming one of the following:

  • Incapacity Benefit/ Employment and Support Allowance
  • Maternity Allowance
  • Statutory Sick Pay
  • Unemployability Supplement or Allowance

This entitles you to basic State Pension. If you're unable to work for more than a year because of illness or disability you may also get credits towards additional State Pension. Depending on which benefit you are claiming, you may need to take action to get credits.

People getting Working Tax Credit

If you are claiming Working Tax Credit you can get credits (unless you are already paying National Insurance (NI) contributions). This includes self-employed people who have a Small Earnings Exception.

This entitles you to basic State Pension.

Credits for spouses of members of Her Majesty's forces

If you are married to, or in a registered civil partnership with, a member of Her Majesty's forces you may not be paying UK NI. If you accompany them on an overseas assignment, you may not be paying UK NI.

This may mean you have gaps in your National Insurance record that could affect your entitlement to a full basic State Pension.

For postings on or after 6 April 2010, you may be able to apply for a National Insurance credit which could boost your State Pension. For more information download the leaflet below.

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