Martin Lewis urges people to claim 'massive' State Pension top-up just for looking after grandchildren

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Martin Lewis is urging grandparents who are currently looking after grandchildren, or have done so at any point since 2011, to claim a “little-known” credit which could add thousands of pounds to their State Pension payments.

Even if you have already reached State Pension age, the consumer champion said you may be able to make a backdated claim.The founder of MoneySavingExpert.com shared the details about Specified Adult Childcare Credits on the latest episode of The Martin Lewis Money Show Live with STV viewers.

He explained how State Pension payments can be boosted by transferring the National Insurance credit attached to Child Benefit from the Child Benefit recipient to a family member who is providing care for a related child under the age of 12, or 17 if they have a disability.Martin also explained that the parent won’t miss out because as long as they are working and earning enough, they will get National Insurance credits through their employment.

He added that it could “massively” boost State Pension for grandparents in later life.He said: “If you’ve got gaps in your National Insurance, it can massively boost your State Pension once you get into retirement by thousands of pounds over the rest of your life.”To get the full, New State Pension you need 35 years of National Insurance credits, for any State Pension payment at all, you need 10.Martin also explained that applications can be backdated to 2011, which means it can be claimed by those who provided ‘virtual care’ during the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdowns in 2020 and 2021.HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has previously described this as providing care remotely over the phone, by text messages or by video call.Martin warned that you cannot get the