210,000 women underpaid State Pension

Former_MSE_Amalia

If you stayed at home to care for family as far back as 1978 and first claimed Child Benefit before May 2000, your National Insurance (NI) record may have been hit with errors that could see you missing out on £1,000s in state pension payments. You don't need to do anything for now, though you will need to take action to reinstate your missing state pension payments later this year. 

Here's how to check if you're affected and let us know your experience with this issue and any successes.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2023/07/state-pension-underpayments-caregivers-owed-claim/

clap69

I was a single parent with three children under 7 in 1987 and took a fair bit of time off work to look after the children whilst I started the process of rebuilding our lives. I am not sure I qualify as one of those affected as I am male and every article I have read suggests this investigation only applies if you are a woman. Certainly further clarification would be welcome.

gary1956

I have recently paid my wife’s missing NI contributions, what if she is one of those affected by this, will we have any of these additional contributions returned if it is the case?

QrizB

gary1956 said:

I have recently paid my wife’s missing NI contributions, what if she is one of those affected by this, will we have any of these additional contributions returned if it is the case?

No-one knows but I'd guess it's unlikely.

sparky0138

gary1956 said:

I have recently paid my wife’s missing NI contributions, what if she is one of those affected by this, will we have any of these additional contributions returned if it is the case?

It's not out of the question. My mum was given a refund for a voluntary contribution she made all the way back in 1993 when she should have received a credit for the full year due to claiming child benefit. Here is the thread if you're interested.

Pompeii2

I checked my contributions record when I  became aware of this. I retired at 60yrs And was told I was 5 years short of contributions I was able to claim  for 2years contributions as I looked after my grandson. From the age of 64 and 3months I received a reduced pension. It looks like they counted back 35years from my  retirement date and disregarded any earlier years 10 in total when I was at home with young children and should have received a contributions credit. I  put in a claim earlier this month not sure how long it will take for them to sort this one out.

molerat

Pompeii2 said:

I checked my contributions record when I  became aware of this. I retired at 60yrs And was told I was 5 years short of contributions I was able to claim  for 2years contributions as I looked after my grandson. From the age of 64 and 3months I received a reduced pension. It looks like they counted back 35years from my  retirement date and disregarded any earlier years 10 in total when I was at home with young children and should have received a contributions credit. I  put in a claim earlier this month not sure how long it will take for them to sort this one out.

It does not work like that. Reaching retirement at 64y 3m suggests you were born around August 1953 retiring in November 2017 - correct ?

You would have received the higher of the old or new schemes at April 2016 with possibly the addition of one post 2016 year.

How much are you currently receiving ?

How many full pre 2016 years do you have ?

How many post 2016 years do you have ?

Were you in a contracted out works pension scheme ?

Which years did you claim for grandparent credits ?

Which years were you receiving child benefit ?

Retiring post 2010 your child benefit years should show on your NI record, do they ?

Unfortunately there are many women who did not receive child benefit credits but the addition of those credits may not affect the pension they receive.

Suzywac

Thanks for this advice.  It has taken a year, but I got my missing Home Responsibility NI credited and a year of missing NI during a period of continuous employment.   I thought that was it, but no just got a letter and they have me back a LOT of money. And my weekly pension has increased too.  Well worth doing