MoneySavingExpert (UK)

Missing State Pension Check: 'I Reclaimed £25,000 After Taking Time Off to Provide Care' – Can You Do the Same?

MoneySavingExpert highlighted a long‑standing Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) error that left more than 100,000 former caregivers without proper National Insurance credits. After checking their records, retirees like Sheila and Mary reclaimed £25,270 (≈$32,100) and £15,788 (≈$20,050) respectively, boosting their state pensions by about $200 and $150 a month. HMRC now reports average processing times of 12 weeks, with some claims taking up to 11 months, prompting urgent applications. Eligible individuals are those who claimed Child Benefit before May 2000 or were primary caregivers between 1978 and 2010.