Thousands of pensioners across the UK may be entitled to significant sums of money after errors were uncovered in the recording of Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) credits. These credits, which were in place from 1978 until 2010, were designed to safeguard the pension rights of parents and carers who spent years out of the workforce to care for children or family members. However, mistakes in recording HRP on National Insurance records have led to widespread underpayments, leaving many people with less than they were entitled to.
Understanding Home Responsibilities Protection
The HRP system was introduced to make sure parents and carers were not unfairly penalised when it came to their future State Pension. Before the system changed in 2010, women needed 39 years and men 44 years of National Insurance contributions to qualify for the full basic pension. HRP reduced that number year by year, with each eligible year removing one from the total required, up to 22 years. In simple terms, HRP could make the difference between a partial pension and a full one.
Who Could Qualify for HRP?
Eligibility for HRP was broad, covering anyone who claimed Child Benefit for a child under 16, those who were the main carer while their partner received Child Benefit, individuals on Income Support as carers, or people caring for someone sick or disabled who received certain benefits. For many families, this system was a lifeline, allowing them to prioritise care without sacrificing financial security later in life.
When the System Went Wrong
Unfortunately, records were not always kept correctly. In many cases, HRP credits simply did not appear on National Insurance records. This meant years spent at home caring were ignored when pension entitlement was calculated. One recent example highlights the scale of the issue. A woman who cared for her child throughout the 1980s should have had 13 years of HRP recorded, reducing her qualifying years significantly. Instead, those credits were missing, leading to her pension being underpaid for 16 years. Once corrected, she received a lump sum exceeding £35,500, and her weekly pension rose by £60.
Billions Still Unclaimed
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) acknowledged the error and launched a correction scheme in 2023, estimating that £1.2 billion was owed in total. Yet, despite the scale of the issue, very little has been claimed. By March 2025, just £104 million had been paid out, representing only about 8% of the people affected. That leaves more than £1.1 billion still sitting unclaimed.
Why Are So Few People Claiming?
Several barriers have been identified. Many of those affected are older, less familiar with online services, and may struggle to navigate digital systems. Letters from HMRC have sometimes been mistaken for scams, and some people fear that challenging their pension record could actually reduce their payments. Crucially, the responsibility lies with individuals to come forward and check eligibility, rather than the government automatically correcting records.
How You Can Check If You’re Affected
If you suspect you may have missed out on HRP credits, there are straightforward ways to confirm. You can call HMRC on 0300 200 3500 and request a check on your record, or you can use the government’s online eligibility checker. From there, you can either complete the application digitally or download and post form CF411. Once processed, any missing credits will be added, and the DWP will adjust your pension accordingly, issuing back payments where due.
A Call to Action
For many, this issue represents not just missing money but years of overlooked care and responsibility. Parents and carers who gave up employment to look after children or loved ones should not be penalised in retirement. With billions of pounds still waiting to be claimed, it is essential that more people come forward to check their entitlement. Correcting these records can make a life-changing difference, providing both financial relief and recognition for years of unpaid but vital work.