Family members’ pension additions

Monklands family members who provided free childcare in person, over the phone or by video call over the last year during the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns can apply for National Insurance (NI) credits to be added to their State Pension.

NI credits were introduced in April 2011 and you may be entitled to receive these if you are a grandparent, or other family member, who cares for a child under 12 – usually while their parent, or main carer, is working – even if that’s from home.

Kay Ingram, former director of public policy at national financial planning group LEBC, said: “Each credit currently buys £250 of annual State Pension, payable for life from State Pension age.

“Those carers not paying National Insurance themselves can claim these valuable top-ups to their State Pension.”

For full details on Specified Adult Childcare credits, and to apply for NI credits, visit the GOV.UK website.