08 September 2010
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have estimated that a
quarter of million people who care for ill or disabled relatives or
friends are not aware of their entitlement to National Insurance
Credits towards their state pension entitlement.
Around a million people in the UK have ceased working to help
care for someone who is ill or disabled and around a quarter of
these people are not aware of their rights to a protected state
pension.
Pensions Minister 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."
Currently, less than 1000 people are claiming Carer's Credit in
the UK and the government and Carers UK are calling on people to
identify the 'hidden' carers and help ensure that they are claiming
a credit to which they may be entitled.
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."
To read the full DWP press release click here
For more detailed information on the different types of National
Insurance Credits click here
For information on the Carer's Credit on the Directgov website
click here
