Home Responsibilities Protection

jenz

I worked 5 years (making full NI contributions) from leaving college till the birth of my first child. I have not returned to work since.

My child benefit payments finished in 2002 but in 2003 I became ill and in 2004 started receiving Disability living allowance. I am now 52 and wondering what pension, if any, I may be entitled to at 65 if I am not able to return to work.

My questions are -

Do I qualify for Home Responsibilities Protection for the period I've been claiming DLA .

Can I receive a pension based on my husbands payments.

If I do not return to work, can I claim a pension at 65 in my own right because of HRP's, and can I pay a lump sum prior to 65 to get a better state pension

alm721

Im not too sure of the answer but if you ring the pensions dept at inland revenue they are really helpful and will tell you how much home responsibilities you have, they will also give you an accurate value of what your pension stands at now and should be able to tell you what it will be if you dont return to work.

tanith

My understanding is that HRP is only applied to years you were receiving child benefit........but DWP website will tell you all you need to know or give them a ring for a Pensions Forecast....

CIS

HRP can be given where Child Benefit has not been received by a person, but only if they are a carer,

You may get a pension based on your husbands conts, but it depends on his record.

As suggested you need to get a pension forecast from the Pension Service, part of DWP, on 0845 3000168 or online at https://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk.

EdInvestor

jenz wrote:

I worked 5 years (making full NI contributions) from leaving college till the birth of my first child. I have not returned to work since.

My child benefit payments finished in 2002 but in 2003 I became ill and in 2004 started receiving Disability living allowance. I am now 52 and wondering what pension, if any, I may be entitled to at 65 if I am not able to return to work. My questions are -

Do I qualify for Home Responsibilities Protection for the period I've been claiming DLA .

Not on the HRP basis but possibly on the basis of being unable to work.

Can I receive a pension based on my husbands payments.

Yes, 60% of what he gets from when he retires at 65, if your own pension is lower,it will be made up to that level .

If I do not return to work, can I claim a pension at 65 in my own right because of HRP's, and can I pay a lump sum prior to 65 to get a better state pension

HRPs reduce the amount of qualifying years you need, they do not count as years in themselves.You can pay up "missing years" - roughly over the past 10 years at the moment.The Govt is about to reduce the amount of years needed from the full basic state pension to 30, which could help you a lot.

Your first step is to go to the Pensions Office and find out your position as of now.

jenz

Many thanks for all your advice.