In order to qualify for a state retirement pension a specific number of qualifying years of payment of national insurance contributions are needed. Many who have been caring for someone and not working or earning only a small amount, particularly women ,would not have had the opportunity to build up this entitlement through national insurance contributions.
However, for every week that a person receives carer’s allowance, a credit will be made to their national insurance record; although women who have opted to pay a reduced rate of national insurance contributions do not qualify for this.
In addition since 1978 special rules under the home responsibilities protection scheme protected the rights to a pension where someone was in receipt of income support or child benefit for a child under 16. This scheme finished in April 2010 but the years where it applied will still be included when entitlement is being calculated,
Since April 2010 a new system of care credits applies. Further details of these, who is eligible and how to apply can be found on Directgov.
Once you become eligible for a state pension, special rules apply. If the pension is the same or higher then the carer’s allowance, the latter will stop, although for the purposes of receiving other benefits an ‘underlying entitlement’ to it continues. Follow the link above for more information.
If you are a low income pensioner with caring responsibilities you may be entitled to pension credit and an additional amount may be payable in respect of those responsibilities.
