*HELP* - NI Credits with No Child Benefit

MariaCo

*HELP*
I have been a stay-at-home mum since my 1st child was born in 2012, have since had 2 more children.
My husband was and still is High Income, and at the time (2012), I thought that the Child Benefit did not apply to us, so did not claim.
I later learnt with my 3rd child that to obtain NIs credits, I would need to claim for Child Benefit and opt to not receive it.
I now have 5 years missing on my NI record, and was wondering if there was any chance I could claim credits for those years.

Please note, I have already applied to claim for the NI credits using the form CF411A.,....and have received a reply detailing that I am not entitled as I was not receiving Child Benefit for those 5 years.

Is there anything I can do?

Alice_Holt

Make voluntary NI contributions ?

https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions


Do you intend to work when your youngest turns 12, and accrue NI contributions towards your SP?
Have you requested a  SP statement?

MariaCo

Alice_Holt said:

Make voluntary NI contributions ?

https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions


Do you intend to work when your youngest turns 12, and accrue NI contributions towards your SP?
Have you requested a  SP statement?

Hi Alice, 
Thank-You for your response.
I have a statement and have been informed that I can make a voluntary contribution.
But at this moment I'm wondering if there is any way that I could obtain the credits instead.

sheramber

MariaCo said:

*HELP*
I have been a stay-at-home mum since my 1st child was born in 2012, have since had 2 more children.
My husband was and still is High Income, and at the time (2012), I thought that the Child Benefit did not apply to us, so did not claim.
I later learnt with my 3rd child that to obtain NIs credits, I would need to claim for Child Benefit and opt to not receive it.
I now have 5 years missing on my NI record, and was wondering if there was any chance I could claim credits for those years.

Please note, I have already applied to claim for the NI credits using the form CF411A.,....and have received a reply detailing that I am not entitled as I was not receiving Child Benefit for those 5 years.

Is there anything I can do?

https://www.pensionsage.com/pa/Industry-welcomes-measures-to-allow-retrospective-child-benefit-claims-for-state-pension-credit.php?utm_source=jsrecent

By Sophie Smith

 28/4/23

The government has announced plans to address the fact that some parents who have not claimed child benefit could miss out on building their state pension as part of its 2023 Tax Administration and Maintenance Day.

Whilst the current rules mean that those who have missed out on child benefits can only backdate a claim for three months, the new proposals would allow those affected in future to claim National Insurance credit retrospectively.

The government clarified that parents do not need to take any action immediately, confirming that it intends to legislate to allow eligible individuals to retrospectively claim National Insurance credit, with the next steps to be taken to be published "in due course".

I suggest you contact your MP and ask for an update

MariaCo

sheramber said:

MariaCo said:

*HELP*
I have been a stay-at-home mum since my 1st child was born in 2012, have since had 2 more children.
My husband was and still is High Income, and at the time (2012), I thought that the Child Benefit did not apply to us, so did not claim.
I later learnt with my 3rd child that to obtain NIs credits, I would need to claim for Child Benefit and opt to not receive it.
I now have 5 years missing on my NI record, and was wondering if there was any chance I could claim credits for those years.

Please note, I have already applied to claim for the NI credits using the form CF411A.,....and have received a reply detailing that I am not entitled as I was not receiving Child Benefit for those 5 years.

Is there anything I can do?

https://www.pensionsage.com/pa/Industry-welcomes-measures-to-allow-retrospective-child-benefit-claims-for-state-pension-credit.php?utm_source=jsrecent

By Sophie Smith

 28/4/23

The government has announced plans to address the fact that some parents who have not claimed child benefit could miss out on building their state pension as part of its 2023 Tax Administration and Maintenance Day.

Whilst the current rules mean that those who have missed out on child benefits can only backdate a claim for three months, the new proposals would allow those affected in future to claim National Insurance credit retrospectively.

The government clarified that parents do not need to take any action immediately, confirming that it intends to legislate to allow eligible individuals to retrospectively claim National Insurance credit, with the next steps to be taken to be published "in due course".

I suggest you contact your MP and ask for an update

Thats brilliant, thank-you so much!  I will look into this.

KingDom

Hi MariaCo - did you get anywhere with this? We have the same issue and are being quoted thousands per missing year when we thought we were doing the right thing by not cliaming.

sheramber

KingDom said:

Hi MariaCo - did you get anywhere with this? We have the same issue and are being quoted thousands per missing year when we thought we were doing the right thing by not cliaming.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tax-simplification-update-january-2024/tax-simplification-update-january-2024

As announced on 27 April 2023, the government will legislate to introduce a route for people to apply for National Insurance Credits for parents and carers for tax years where they have not claimed Child Benefit, to ensure that people do not miss out on their State Pension entitlement. The credit will add qualifying years of National Insurance where eligible which will support future State Pension eligibility.

Individuals will be able to claim this Credit from April 2026. The eligibility for the Credit will be closely based on Child Benefit eligibility criteria. Transitional arrangements will ensure those affected since 2013 are still able to claim.

Going forward, applications will be available for 6 years following the relevant tax year. The government will bring forward secondary legislation as soon as possible.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

KingDom said:

Hi MariaCo - did you get anywhere with this? We have the same issue and are being quoted thousands per missing year when we thought we were doing the right thing by not cliaming.

Are you using a third party?  

Buying a qualifying year doesn't currently cost as much as £1,000 per year.

Although irrespective of this you may be able to benefit from the planned changes @sheramber has referred to.

MariaCo

Hi Everyone, I've not got any further than this.
Between calling Pensions, HMRC & Child Benefit,...I've just been going round in circles.

April 2025 is just around the corner and I'm feeling like I have no choice but to pay for the gaps myself,...which is going to cost me thousands!

But not too sure what else to do.

Sorry I couldn't be of further help 😟

sheramber

MariaCo said:

Hi Everyone, I've not got any further than this.
Between calling Pensions, HMRC & Child Benefit,...I've just been going round in circles.

April 2025 is just around the corner and I'm feeling like I have no choice but to pay for the gaps myself,...which is going to cost me thousands!

But not too sure what else to do.

Sorry I couldn't be of further help 😟

Ask your MP.

molerat

OP has another thread on this in pensions

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6385473/national-insurance-credits-with-no-child-benefits#latest