Carers allowance at state pension age

NedS

Question that came up this week, to which I can't find an answer, so I wonder if anyone is able to help.

Carers allowance effectively stops at state pension age (assuming a pension of at least £67.60 per week) as it's an overlapping benefit and would be deducted pound for pound from any state pension. What happens if the state pension is deferred (not claimed)?

Robbie64

You can defer your state pension and continue to get (or claim) Carer's Allowance. However you would not build up any extra state pension during the time you get CA.

NedS

Robbie64 said:

You can defer your state pension and continue to get (or claim) Carer's Allowance. However you would not build up any extra state pension during the time you get CA.

Thanks @Robbie64 - makes sense, do you have a reference for that anywhere?

Pollycat

If you delay claiming your State Pension, this could increase the State Pension payments you get when you decide to claim it. You cannot build up extra State Pension during any period you get Carer’s Allowance.

Source:

https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/effect-on-other-benefits

poppy12345

I found this.. https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/financial-support/help-with-benefits/carers-allowance

Scroll down to state pensions and find this..

Although you could ask to carry on being paid Carer’s Allowance instead of getting your State Pension straight away (ie you could defer your pension) you will not build up any extra pension during that time. It is always important to seek further advice before making any decisions. See our talk to us page for details of how to get further help.

Brie

Pollycat said:

If you delay claiming your State Pension, this could increase the State Pension payments you get when you decide to claim it. You cannot build up extra State Pension during any period you get Carer’s Allowance.

Source:

https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/effect-on-other-benefits

I'm very concerned about this as my other half was told that getting carer's allowance does count toward the state pension and I assumed there was extra years being built up for retirement.  Or is that just after state retirement age??

NedS

Brilliant - thank you all

NedS

Brie said:

Pollycat said:

If you delay claiming your State Pension, this could increase the State Pension payments you get when you decide to claim it. You cannot build up extra State Pension during any period you get Carer’s Allowance.

Source:

https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/effect-on-other-benefits

I'm very concerned about this as my other half was told that getting carer's allowance does count toward the state pension and I assumed there was extra years being built up for retirement.  Or is that just after state retirement age??

Your partner will be awarded NI credits whilst claiming CA which count towards their state pension up until state pension age at which point they would normally stop claiming CA and start claiming their state pension. We were talking about a specific situation after state pension age here.

Pollycat

Brie said:

Pollycat said:

If you delay claiming your State Pension, this could increase the State Pension payments you get when you decide to claim it. You cannot build up extra State Pension during any period you get Carer’s Allowance.

Source:

https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/effect-on-other-benefits

I'm very concerned about this as my other half was told that getting carer's allowance does count toward the state pension and I assumed there was extra years being built up for retirement.  Or is that just after state retirement age??

The link I gave refers to deferring state pension.

It's in the first sentence.

Brie

Pollycat said:

The link I gave refers to deferring state pension.

Phew!  I was getting worried!!!

calcotti

I think there is no mechanism for getting NI credits after reaching SP age (but happy to be corrected) - although It is possible to fill gaps by paying for them.