Child Benefit

Popsy

Hello,

I hope that this makes sense.... I spoke to my mum last night and she mentioned something about my dad seeing something on TV about the fact that back in the 1970's when me and my sister were born that child benefit was underpaid, and there is a way now that you can claim this back..... I've had a look on the DWP website but I can't see anything and to be honest I don't know where else to look. There is quite a high possibility that my Dad (bless him) may have got this wrong, but you know what dad's are like, you can't argue (as they're always right, or is it just my family...??)
If anyone knows anything or has heard anything about this and can point me in the right direction I would really appreciate some help or advice.

Thanks so much

Popsy
xx

real1314

Doesn't mean anything to me, and it's the sort of thing I'd probably have heard about.
Does your dad remember what TV prog he saw this on?

justontime

There was something in the news in the last few days claiming that some women who had children in late 70's and early 80's may not have been credited with home responsibilities protection towards their retirement pension. So if someone who was receiving child ben from 1978 onwards and they don't get a full retirement pension now they should check that their contribution record takes account of their home responsibilities protection. It was discussed on Radio 4 Money box live on Monday afternoon so if you go to the Radio 4 site you will still be able to use the listen again option.

real1314

Ah! I did wonder if it might be something along those lines.

The way HRP works is that whereas a woman would normally need to pay full contributions in 39 years (out of the 44 years available from age 16-60), any years where HRP can be applied reduce the number of years needed. So if a woman (or indeed a man) is able to claim HRP for 5 years, they only then need 34 years of contributions to get a full pension.

Morglin

You can get a pension forecast at any age and check that you have been given full HRP during the relevant years:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/PensionsAndRetirement/FinancialPlanningForRetirement/DG_10021384

Lin