If you’re a grandparent or other family member helping to care for a child while the parent works, you could be missing out on something really valuable: National Insurance credits that count towards your State Pension — potentially worth over £5,000 in retirement.
This little-known benefit is part of a scheme called Specified Adult Childcare Credits, and it’s one of the most underclaimed entitlements in the UK.
Who Can Claim?
You might be eligible if:
- You’re a grandparent or other family member (uncle, aunt, older sibling, etc.)
- You looked after a child under 12 at any point during a tax year
- The child’s parent or main carer is working and getting Child Benefit
- You are under State Pension age yourself (currently 66)
You do not need to live with the child to be eligible.
What Do You Get?
You could receive Class 3 NI credits for each year you cared, which helps fill any gaps in your NI record. This could:
- Increase your future State Pension
- Be worth over £250 per year, every year, for life
- Add up to £5,000+ over a typical 20-year retirement
Even if you worked part-time or didn’t think of yourself as a “formal carer,” you’re still encouraged to apply.
How to Apply (Step-by-Step Guide)
- Ask the Child Benefit recipient (usually the parent) to agree to transfer their NI credit for that year to you.
- Download and complete form CA9176 from the gov.uk website.
- You can search “CA9176 form” or find the link via AskEllie.co.uk (search: “grandparent pension”)
- Post it to HMRC at the address on the form.
- You should receive confirmation once processed. It can take several weeks.
Top Tips
- Claims can be backdated to 2011
- You must apply for each tax year you were eligible
- You don’t need to have cared full-time — even a few hours a week can count
Real Talk
This is your pension we’re talking about. If you gave your time, energy, and love to help your family by caring for a child so a parent could work, you deserve to be recognised for it.
Make the system work for you.
Need Help?
Visit www.AskEllie.co.uk and search “grandparent pension” for direct links to:
- The official form (CA9176)
- Step-by-step video guide
- Community comments
You can also use AskEllie+ for free help drafting letters or checking your eligibility.
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