Advice on Specified Adult Childcare Credits & State Pension

Jimbouk

Hi everyone,

I’m seeking some advice on Specified Adult Childcare Credits and how they might help me with my State Pension entitlement.
I’m currently retired at 58 and have around 40 years of continuous NI contributions, with no gaps. However, due to being contracted out for a period of my employment, I am two years short of the full State Pension. These missing years are future years, so I could buy voluntary contributions if needed.
My wife and I provide weekly childcare for our two-year-old grandson, and I recently learned that I might be eligible for Specified Adult Childcare Credits to help fill these gaps.
Here’s our situation:

✔ Both my daughter and her husband work full-time
✔ They are registered for Child Benefit
✔ They receive free nursery funding

Before applying, I want to make sure that claiming these credits won’t impact their finances, childcare arrangements, or future NI contributions. From what I understand, the credits transfer from the parent (who is already working and paying NI) to me, so it shouldn’t affect them.
Any advice or experiences would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance

molerat

It simply transfers the NI credits the receiver of the child benefit is getting to you.  It has no effect on their own NI record, they would not be allowed to transfer them if it would leave them short, or anything else. You can only transfer the credits to you for the same period in which they were earned (in case you were unaware as we recently had a query about "banking" them for future use)

Jillybeads64

In a similar position to Jimbouk.
Currently 64, retired and have been caring for my grandson since 2022 ( and will be doing so for the foreseeable)
My question relates to the form. Regarding the dates....when it asks for the end date....what date do you put? Is it one tax year per form? Or do you put the whole period, encompassing several years? Also as I will be continuing to care for him, do I need to apply every year?
I have called several numbers and not managed to speak to a human once!
I am due to get my state pension in April 2027 and despite 40 years NI contributions am short. I was unable to pay the full amount to cover the shortfall and am hoping this will fill in the gaps.
Any advice would be very welcome.