Many women in their 60s and 70s could be owed thousands in unpaid State Pension due to administrative errors linked to the Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) scheme. If you took time off work to raise children before the year 2000, you may have missed out on valuable pension credits—without even knowing it.
This guide breaks down what’s going on, how it affects you, and how to check if you’re eligible for a back payment, which on average is worth around £8,000. Let’s look into this step-by-step.
Background
These are lump sum payments made to people who were underpaid in previous years due to errors in how their State Pension was calculated. In this case, the problem comes from missing HRP credits—support that should have been added to your National Insurance record if you were raising children and not working.
Important HRP Credits
HRP was designed to protect your State Pension entitlement while you stayed at home to care for your children. Before 2000, many people claimed Child Benefit without listing a National Insurance number. That meant the HRP credits weren’t applied—leaving big gaps in their pension history.
Impact
According to government reviews, back payments are averaging around £8,000 per person. In some cases, lump sums have reached as high as £17,000. That’s not just loose change—it’s life-changing for many pensioners.
Who’s Affected?
The majority of those affected are women born between 1953 and 1960 who claimed Child Benefit before 2000 and didn’t have their National Insurance number included. These women now face lower pension payments than they should have.
Corrections
Both the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are working together to fix the issue. Here’s what they’re doing:
- Reviewing old records to identify missing HRP credits
- Contacting affected individuals by post
- Offering online tools to help people check for errors
- Issuing back payments where appropriate
Example
Take Mrs. Atkinson from Cornwall. She discovered that her pension was too low due to missing HRP credits. After checking her record and submitting a claim, she received nearly £17,000 in back payments—plus an increase in her weekly pension.
Steps
Have your National Insurance number, child benefit history, and previous pension correspondence on hand.
Check Your NI Record
Go to the UK Government’s website and check your National Insurance contributions:
https://www.gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record
Look for any missing years during the time you were raising children.
Use the HRP Checker Tool
Use the government’s eligibility tool to see if you’re affected by the HRP credit issue:
https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-underpayment
Follow the on-screen steps to see if you’re owed money.
Contact the Pension Service
Still have questions? Call or write to the Pension Service. They can look into your record and help you claim any money you’re owed.
Keep Records
Always save copies of your forms, letters, and emails. These could be important if you need to follow up or dispute a decision.
Advisors
- Encourage clients to check their NI records, especially women over 60
- Stay up to date with DWP announcements
- Offer help with online tools and contact forms
- Include back payments in pension planning reviews
Retirement Planning
Pension underpayments can seriously affect retirement income. A corrected pension could mean better budgeting, more confidence in retirement, and even money to pay off debts or fund essential expenses.
Looking Ahead
As the government updates its systems, future pensions may be less likely to face errors like this. Until then, it’s vital to stay alert, check your details, and take action if needed.
Mrs. Atkinson’s story isn’t rare. Thousands more may still be waiting to know what they’re owed. By checking now, you could be one of them.
FAQs
Who is eligible for the £8,000 back payment?
Women in their 60s–70s who missed HRP credits from Child Benefit.
What caused the pension underpayment?
Missing National Insurance numbers on Child Benefit claims pre-2000.
How do I check if I’m affected?
Check your NI record on gov.uk and use the HRP checker tool.
How much could I get in back payments?
The average back payment is around £8,000, but can be higher.
Who should I contact for help?
Call the Pension Service or visit gov.uk for official support.
