Are You Missing Out on State Pension Protection?
A quarter of a million people caring for ill or disabled friends or relatives could be missing out on a top up that protects their basic and second State Pensions in later life, according to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
An estimated one million people have given up work to care for someone and Pensions Minister Steve Webb wants these ‘hidden’ carers who could be eligible for Carer’s Credit to benefit.
Steve Webb said: “It’s natural that people caring for a loved one often forget about their own needs and thoughts about the future are pushed to one side. But this is a very simple way for carers to protect their State Pension and I urge people to find out more by visiting the Directgov website or by calling the Carer’s Allowance Unit.”
People giving up their time for 20 hours or more a week to provide unpaid care for a loved one, and who are not already claiming Carer’s Allowance, could qualify.
There are currently less than 1,000 people getting Carer’s Credit. The Government and Carers UK are calling for people to help identify hidden carers and encourage more people to ensure they are claiming all they are entitled to.
Many people looking after an elderly parent, ill spouse or disabled child do not think of themselves as carers. In fact, according to research from Carers UK the majority of people who care for relatives take over a year to realise that they have become a carer.
Carers UK Chief Executive Imelda Redmond CBE, said: “If you give up work to care for someone who is close to you who is ill or disabled, often the last thing on your mind is planning for your pension. But it is vital that carers check that they are claiming the right benefits or credits to ensure that they will get their full State Pension in retirement.”
Carer’s Credit is not a cash sum now but means that a carer’s financial future can be protected. It credits a person’s National Insurance record for the time they are caring, helping them to build up their State Pension
More:
- Carer’s Allowance Unit
Palatine House, Lancaster Road, Preston, PR1 1HB
Tel: 0845 608 4321; text: 0845 604 5312; fax: 01772 899 354.
cau.customer-services@dwp.gsi.gov.uk, www.direct.gov.uk
- Carers UK
0808 808 7777, adviceline@carersuk.org, www.carersuk.org
This is something that needs more publicity, People give up work to care for someone, they should not be penalised when they get to retirement.