In the GB News Pensions and Retirement Q&A, Jasmine Birtles answers questions from GB News members. You can email your question to money@gbnews.uk.
Question: Hi. My wife, aged 76, is only in receipt of a very small state pension, because she apparently missed some NI contributions during the time she was raising our four children.
"Is she able to make payment of additional contributions at this time, in order to become eligible for the standard state pension?
"If so, how does she go about this?"
Jasmine replies: It’s good to bring up the issue of making the right amount of National Insurance contributions to get the full state pension.
Currently one has to contribute for at least 30 years to qualify for the full amount, and it is possible to get National Insurance credits if you have to take time off to look after children or vulnerable family members. In fact you can find out more about that on the government website here.
In your wife’s case, she has left it a bit late to get the extra payments. I checked with the charity Age UK to see what they thought about this.
Jasmine Birtles answers questions from GB News members in the exclusive pensions and retirement Q&A JASMINE BIRTLES | GETTYOne advisor said: “‘Sorry but I think it’s too late. Please see section 12.4 of our State Pensionfactsheet which notes you usually have six years to make late contributions. Otherwise, they could check whether they are eligible for Pension Credit.”
Another adviser mentioned: “It might be worth highlighting the issue with Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP). HRP helped a person who was caring for children or someone with a disability to qualify for State Pension with less qualifying years on their National Insurance record.
"Some people missed out because they were not always asked for their National Insurance Number when they claimed Child Benefit.
"HMRC are contacting people who were in receipt of Child Benefit between 1978 and 2010 and may not have received HRP. There is more information on GOV.UK's Home Responsibilities Protection page."
It's worth checking the Age UK website to see what else is available to older people on a low income.
The website Turn2Us.org.uk is also a useful resource. Not only does it have a benefits calculator to help you find out if there are benefits you haven’t yet applied for, but it also has a list of grants that apply to all sorts of people. You might find one that would apply to you.
I also suggest that you speak to your local Council to see if there is any help they can give to boost your household income. Some have money they can grant for specific needs.
Jasmine Birtles is a personal finance expert, TV and radio presenter and author of 38 books. Her website, MoneyMagpie.com, covers all aspects of personal finance from money-saving and money-making ideas to investment and pensions information. She is a keynote speaker at conferences around the world.
