{"id":60181,"date":"2015-08-10T09:05:33","date_gmt":"2015-08-10T09:05:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=ff2c9db90b26fe1e90cca26ba4269f76"},"modified":"2015-08-10T09:05:33","modified_gmt":"2015-08-10T09:05:33","slug":"press-release-pensions-minister-too-many-carers-missing-out-on-ni-credits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=60181","title":{"rendered":"Press release: Pensions Minister: too many carers missing out on NI credits"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Minister for Pensions, Baroness Altmann, is calling on all carers to check they are getting what they are entitled to \u2013 and urging everybody to spread the word to carers they may know.<\/p>\n

Nearly 200,000 people with caring responsibilities could receive a boost to their pension \u2013 worth hundreds of pounds a year \u2013 by claiming Carer\u2019s Credit. But currently only an estimated 5% of those eligible are signed up to receive these additional National Insurance contributions.<\/p>\n

Signing up for Carer\u2019s Credit for a year means a carer could receive over \u00a3200 extra per year in State Pension when they retire.<\/p>\n

Minister for Pensions, Baroness Altmann, said:<\/p>\n

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It is important to recognise how much carers give to society, and I would like to see them receive what they\u2019re entitled to.<\/p>\n

If carers are not working full time, these credits can fill gaps in their National Insurance record \u2013 helping to bolster the amount of State Pension they will receive.<\/p>\n

It is straightforward to apply and doesn\u2019t cost anything. There is nothing to lose by signing up \u2013 and money to gain for the future. I\u2019d like people to spread the word about this because I don\u2019t want to see anyone missing out.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Currently only 11,000 people have signed up for the credit, which contributes to their National Insurance record, yet around 200,000 are thought to be eligible. It is designed for those who are caring for others for 20 hours or more per week and do not qualify for Carer\u2019s Allowance.<\/p>\n

The credit helps carers to continue to build the amount of State Pension they will receive \u2013 so they can protect their future State Pension, while carrying out their caring responsibilities.<\/p>\n

Signing up for this credit can particularly help older women. Women make up 130,000 \u2013 or 65% \u2013 of those who could be eligible, and two-thirds of those with caring responsibilities who could apply are estimated to be over age 50.<\/p>\n

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Find information on eligibility and how to apply for Carer\u2019s Credit<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

More about Carer\u2019s Credit<\/h2>\n

Carer\u2019s Allowance<\/a> is available to those who care for 35 hours a week or more, subject to eligibility, whereas Carer\u2019s Credit is for those who care for at least 20 hours a week.<\/p>\n

According to the 2012\/13 Family Resource Survey<\/a>, there are 330,000 working-age people who provide informal care for between 20 and 35 hours per week.<\/p>\n

Approximately 40% of the 330,000 are in full time employment, so are already likely to be paying National Insurance contributions \u2013 which leaves 200,000 potential beneficiaries of Carer\u2019s Credit. <\/p>\n

Out of that 200,000, we expect 70,000 to be male, 130,000 to be female \u2013 with around two-thirds to be aged 50 or over. Many may also be accruing qualifying years through other means such as Jobseeker\u2019s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance and Child Benefit credits, so the number of eligible people could be lower.<\/p>\n

Seventy per cent of existing recipients of Carers\u2019 Credit are women. <\/p>\n

Contact Press Office<\/h2>\n

Media enquiries for this press release \u2013 020 3267 5106<\/p>\n

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Press Office<\/h3>\n
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\nCaxton House
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\nTothill Street<\/span>
\nLondon<\/span>
\nSW1H 9NA<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n London Press Office (national media and London area enquiries only \u2013 not questions about personal claims)<\/span>
\n 020 3267 5144\n <\/p>\n

\n Out-of-hours (journalists only)<\/span>
\n 076 59 108 883\n <\/p>\n

\n England and Wales (local media enquiries)<\/span>
\n 029 20 586 then 097 or 098 or 099\n <\/p>\n

\n Scotland (local media enquiries)<\/span>
\n 0131 310 1122\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Follow DWP on:<\/p>\n