{"id":143890,"date":"2023-12-02T09:56:13","date_gmt":"2023-12-02T09:56:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity-hub.com\/?p=143890"},"modified":"2023-12-02T09:56:13","modified_gmt":"2023-12-02T09:56:13","slug":"im-getting-6000-a-year-in-state-pension-just-from-claiming-free-ni-credits-how-you-can-too-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity-hub.com\/lifestyle\/im-getting-6000-a-year-in-state-pension-just-from-claiming-free-ni-credits-how-you-can-too-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"I'm getting \u00a36,000 a year in state pension just from claiming free NI credits – how you can too | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"

A SAVVY mum-of-two has revealed how she has managed to bag \u00a36,000 a year in state pension, just from claiming child benefit.<\/p>\n

Sumitra Dasgupta, 68, lives in Kent with her husband, who is an NHS doctor.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

They have two children, a son who was born in 1982 and a daughter born in 1987 and claimed child benefit for each.<\/p>\n

And despite never having a National Insurance (NI) number, and no NI record, she has been able to claim \u00a3100 a week in state pension.<\/p>\n

For your state pension, you need 35 qualifying years of NI contributions to receive the full amount.<\/p>\n

At the moment, this is worth \u00a3203.85 a week, or \u00a310,608 a year.<\/p>\n

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This is set to increase next year to \u00a311,501 next year, a weekly rise from \u00a3203.85 to \u00a3221.20.<\/p>\n

You need an NI number before you can start paying NI contributions.<\/p>\n

But if you claimed child benefit, you will have built-up credit.<\/p>\n

This is so that people who took time out of work to care for their children aren't left with gaps in their pension.<\/p>\n

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Sumitra was born in the UK, had her education abroad and moved back with her husband after her studies to start a family.<\/p>\n

She was entitled to Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) for the period 1983\/84 – the first full financial year after her child was born – and up to 2001\/ before her younger child turned 16.<\/p>\n

HRP was a scheme to protect parents' and carers' State Pension.<\/p>\n

National Insurance credits replaced HRP in 2010.<\/p>\n

Most people got HRP automatically if they were getting child benefit in their name for a child under the age of 16.<\/p>\n

But Sumitra had difficulty getting her hands on the cash because she didn't have an NI number and wasn't seeking employment.<\/p>\n

She contacted Steve Webb, partner at LCP and former pensions minister, who alongside the DWP and HMRC, helped her to get a NI number.<\/p>\n

Sumitra was then able to get HRP added to her new NI account and claim a state pension.<\/p>\n

She now gets a pension of over \u00a36,000 and was able to make a backdated claim for the last 12 months.<\/p>\n

Steve Webb said it's possible that there may be people who do not have an NI number but who could still have a state pension entitlement.<\/p>\n

He added: \u201cThere may be significant numbers of women who have been told that they are not entitled to a state pension because they do not have a National insurance record.\u00a0<\/p>\n

"But since 2010 it has been possible to get a state pension purely on the basis of NI credits, such as those derived from claiming Child Benefit.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

"As people can be paid Child Benefit without having had an NI number, there could be many people who are missing out.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

"Although it is a painstaking process, getting an NI number and then getting time at home with children credited to your NI account, this can be the gateway to a state pension.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

"I would encourage any woman who has been told she is not entitled to a pension to explore this route\u201d.<\/p>\n

What is a National Insurance number?<\/h2>\n

Most people are assigned a National Insurance number at the start of their adult life. <\/p>\n

This allows them to build up a National Insurance record and qualify for NI benefits such as the state pension.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It\u2019s made up of letters and numbers and never changes throughout your life.<\/p>\n

Some companies and government bodies rely on this number to ensure that you pay the right taxes and for your work status in the UK.<\/p>\n

The companies who use your NI number are:<\/p>\n