Housewife & State Pension Query

lilyjune

Hi All,

I'm hoping that some of you experts will be able to help me with my query. I rang the Pensions advice line today but still not sure...

Bit of background..

Was in FT employment until 2008 when hubby and I took some time out and travelled around the world. I was pregnant by the time we came back and was unable to get a job so received jobseekers allowance until baby came. I was then a Mummy and housewife, unpaid and no maternity income.

Went back to work in 2010 as a contractor in our own limited company so paid ni as an employee in that company. We have now closed the company and I am back to being a housewife and Mummy to two children with no income other than child benefit for DS1. Not eligible for DS2.

I don't know where I stand now with regards to my pension. I want to ensure that when it comes to it, I have at least got my basic pension and that if I need to let someone know now that I am a housewife, that I do it and not jeopardise any income in the future, if that makes sense.

The advisor this morning said that because I was receiving child benefit, I 'should' be fine and it would be automatically be notified that my stamps paid. The use of the word 'should' is what worries me and also what if I wasn't receiving any child benefit - I'd still be a Mum and a housewife so what do I do then?

Sorry for the long-winded post, I'm just a bit worried that I need to 'tell' someone that I'm still here, I do have something to contribute to society by being a Mum and I still would like to have a basic pension when I retire which will probably be 80 the way things are going these days..

Mojisola

You need to ask for a Pensions Forecast - https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/StatePension/StatePensionforecast/DG_10014008?CID=furl-Pensionforecast

You may not have paid for complete years while you were working but could make up the difference so that all your contributions count. You need 30 years contributions at the moment to get a full pension.

If you are the named person on the CB, you will have automatically received Home Responsibility Protection - https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Caringforsomeone/DG_10018691

After April 2010, credits were brought in - https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/StatePension/DG_183802

lilyjune

Thanks very much for your quick response Mojisola. I've looked at the links that you sent and that is reassuring.

I am going to do the forecast anyway to make sure I'm fully covered for the years where I was working/travelling/pregnant as good to make sure.

I guess the only question I have then is that when DS1 is 12 and DS2 is 10, I would need to do something then to get the credits for him...
But that is IF the system hasn't changed 4 times between now and then and
IF I am still a stay at home Mum and to be honest, that will probably be unlikely. Might cross that bridge when I come to it...

Mojisola

Once you see how many years you will have paid for or been credited with, you will be able to work out which way to go in the future. There is always the option of paying voluntary Class 3 contributions.