HMRC Warns Parents Who Claimed Child Benefit Before 2000 May Be Missing State Pension

We’ve recently learned that HMRC warns parents who claimed Child Benefit before 2000 may be missing State Pension due to errors linked to older Child Benefit records. Many families relied on the HRP (Home Responsibilities Protection) scheme to secure their future pension, yet thousands may now have gaps in their National Insurance history without even realising it.

In this guide, we break down what went wrong, how it may affect your pension, and what steps we can take together to correct any missing years.

What Is Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) and Why Does it Matter?

How did HRP work for parents claiming Child Benefit before 2000?

HRP was introduced to protect parents and carers who took time out of paid employment to raise children under 16. Before 2010, these HRP credits reduced the number of qualifying years needed for the State Pension.

Here’s how HRP helped families:

Year Range	Scheme Name	Purpose	Impact on Pension
1978–2010	Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP)	Supported carers/parents receiving Child Benefit	Reduced NI qualifying years needed
2010–Present	NI Credits for Parents & Carers	Automatically adds credits when claiming Child Benefit	Builds qualifying years

HRP mattered because it ensured that time spent caring – often unpaid – still contributed to long-term retirement security.

Why are HRP Credits missing for some parents?

The core issue stems from the fact that before May 2000, Child Benefit claim forms did not require the claimant’s NI number. Without this number, HMRC could not automatically link HRP to the correct person. In many cases:

The NI record remained uncredited
Credits were accidentally assigned to the wrong partner
Years of caring were never recorded

This has resulted in significant pension gaps, often discovered only when individuals reached State Pension age.

Who is Affected by the HMRC Warning?

Which groups are most likely missing State Pension Credits?

We now know that the following groups may be most affected:

Parents who claimed Child Benefit before May 2000
People whose partners claimed Child Benefit while they were the main carer
Anyone who stopped working to raise children between 1978 and 2010
Individuals who turned pension age and noticed a lower-than-expected pension

How could missing NI Credits reduce your State Pension?

A missing HRP year translates directly into a missing qualifying NI year. Today, we need 35 NI years for the full New State Pension. Missing years can mean:

Reduced weekly pension
Lower lifetime pension income
Possible reliance on additional benefits
Unexpected gaps that can’t always be purchased with voluntary contributions

This makes checking your NI record essential, especially if you claimed Child Benefit in the HRP era.

What Has HMRC Said About Missing Child Benefit Records?

Why is HMRC contacting parents now?

HMRC began sending letters after identifying widespread gaps in HRP-linked NI records. While they are attempting to reach everyone affected, the government acknowledges that earlier Child Benefit data was deleted after five years, making it impossible to trace all eligible parents.

This is why HMRC encourages us to check our records independently, even if we haven’t received a letter.

What did HMRC and DWP discover about missing NI Numbers?

Investigations found that:

Older Child Benefit forms often lacked NI numbers
In some cases, the wrong parent received the HRP credit
Some HRP years were lost entirely due to incomplete data
People with “assumed coverage” never received actual NI credits

This administrative issue has left people unknowingly underpaid for years, reinforcing the importance of reviewing our own pension records.

How Do You Check if You Are Missing NI or HRP Credits?

What should you look for in your National Insurance Record?

To review your record, we recommend:

Checking for gaps between 1978–2010
Looking for “not full” NI years during years you were raising children
Reviewing your State Pension forecast for anomalies

How do you use the HRP eligibility checker or CF411 Form?

You can use the HMRC HRP eligibility checker to see if you may be missing credits. If so, completing form CF411 lets you request corrections.

A quick view of the steps:

Step	Action	Purpose
1	Check NI Record	Identify missing or incomplete years
2	Review Child Benefit history	Confirm eligible HRP years
3	Use HRP checker / CF411	Submit correction request
4	Wait for HMRC review	HMRC updates NI record if eligible

What Happens if Your Missing HRP Credits are Approved?

Will your State Pension increase after the correction?

Yes — once HRP credits are added, your pension is recalculated. This may result in:

A higher weekly State Pension
Additional qualifying years
A corrected pension forecast for future retirees

Even a single additional qualifying year can increase the pension amount meaningfully.

Can you receive backdated State Pension payments?

For those already receiving the State Pension, approved HRP corrections may also include backdated payments. These arrears can:

Cover months or even years of underpayment
Amount to hundreds or thousands of pounds
Provide financial stability for those relying on fixed incomes

This makes correction essential even for those already retired.

What Problems Should You Watch Out For?

Why might some parents not receive an HMRC letter?

Many older Child Benefit records were deleted under data retention rules. Because of this:

HMRC cannot identify all affected individuals
Some people will never receive a notification letter
We may need to take the initiative to check our own records

This means that even without official contact, we could still be missing HRP credits.

What if Child Benefit was in your partner’s name?

If Child Benefit was claimed by a partner who wasn’t the main carer, HRP may have been assigned incorrectly. You may still be able to transfer or correct these credits by submitting the CF411 form.

Key points to consider:

Who claimed the benefit?
Who was the primary carer?
Do NI records align with your caring history?

A mismatch could indicate missing HRP.

Why Does Correcting HRP Matter So Much Today?

How does HRP affect long-term retirement security?

HRP represents recognition of years spent raising children — years that often went unacknowledged financially. Correcting HRP ensures those years count toward a stable retirement.

It strengthens long-term security by:

Increasing pension income
Filling unavoidable NI gaps
Preventing unexpected shortfalls at pension age

What are the financial and emotional impacts?

Beyond financial implications, resolving HRP errors provides:

Peace of mind
Fair recognition of unpaid caring roles
Reduced stress about future retirement affordability

Correcting HRP restores not just pension value but also confidence and reassurance.

Conclusion

As HMRC confirms, HMRC Warns Parents Who Claimed Child Benefit Before 2000 May Be Missing State Pension is not just a headline—it’s a real issue affecting thousands. By checking our NI record, reviewing Child Benefit history, and applying for missing HRP where needed, we can protect our long-term security and ensure we receive the pension we deserve.

If you claimed Child Benefit prior to 2000, now is the perfect time for us to take action and secure your future.

FAQs

Does a woman who has never worked get a State Pension?

Yes, she can receive a State Pension if she has enough National Insurance credits from benefits, Child Benefit, or HRP.

What is Martin Lewis saying about State Pension?

He advises everyone to check for missing NI credits and Child Benefit errors that could boost their pension.

Did my Child Benefit contribute towards my State Pension?

Yes, claiming Child Benefit historically provided HRP or NI credits that count toward your State Pension.

How much is Child Benefit going up in 2026?

Rates for 2026 have not yet been announced by the UK Government.

Do you still get Child Benefit if you earn over £50k?

Yes, but you may need to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge depending on your income.