Check you're not missing State Pension payments

DURING Pensions Awareness week, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging tens of thousands of people to check if they are eligible to boost their State Pension.

Some parents who claimed Child Benefit before 2000 are missing out on State Pension payments they are entitled to because of gaps in their National Insurance records.

HMRC is urging those affected, who are mainly women at, or approaching, State Pension age, to check for gaps in their National Insurance record and top up their State Pension for free.

Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) was applied to the National Insurance (NI) records of those who claimed Child Benefit between:- 1978 and 2000, to protect their State Pension. It reduced the number of qualifying years a person with caring responsibilities needed to receive the full basic State Pension. It was replaced by National Insurance credits in 2010.

However, if someone claimed Child Benefit before May 2000 and did not provide their NI Number on their claim, HRP may not have been applied and their State Pension entitlement could have been affected.

If people are missing HRP from their NI record, it doesn't automatically mean their State Pension calculation is incorrect, but it does increase the possibility, particularly if they spent a number of years away from work to raise a family.

HMRC and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are working to identify those people affected and encourage them to make a claim for HRP so their records can beamended.

People can check their eligibility and make a claim on GOV.UK and it takes about 15 minutes to complete. They can also claim by post using form CF411.

James Murray, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, said:- "The State Pension is the foundation of state support for people in retirement. We are urging people to check their National Insurance records to make sure they will receive the pension they deserve."

HMRC has already written to 257,000 pensioners who could have HRP missing from their NI record and is now contacting those under State Pension age to encourage them to use our eligibility checker. Customers do not need to wait for the letter before they make a claim.

Emma Reynolds, Minister for Pensions, said:- "The Government's priority is to ensure pensioners have security and dignity in retirement. I strongly encourage anyone who thinks they are missing out to check their eligibility and apply for Home Responsibilities Protection; taking just a few minutes out of your day, now could mean a boost to your retirement."

People can check their National Insurance record online or via the free and secure HMRC app.

Individuals do not need to apply for HRP if the missing year has already been counted as a qualifying year for their State Pension calculation, or are above State Pension age and already receive the full basic State Pensionamount. If someone 1st claimed Child Benefit after May 2000, they will not be affected and do not need to contact HMRC because parents were required to include their NI number on their Child Benefit claim forms.

If a customer makes a successful claim, HMRC will update their NI record and DWP will recalculate their State Pension entitlement. State Pension entitlements will either increase or remain the same, depending on an individual's circumstances. Some customers over State Pension age may also receive some arrears payments.

Wirral Dad takes on huge challenge and raises thousands for cancer charity following his partners and parents' diagnosis'

RICH Williams of Wirral, has raised almost £10,000 for Maggie's Cancer Charity at Clatterbridge Wirral, following his fiance's and his 2 parents' cancer diagnosis's. Maggie's Wirral are extremely grateful to Rich for raising such a significantamount of money by participating in:- 'The Dragons Back Race,' consisting of an Ultra Marathon every day, for 6 days, totalling 380km (265miles) and over 17,400m (57,500ft) of elevation; the equivalent of running up Mt Everest more than twice.

Rich said:- "They say when it rains it pours, well pour it did, for me and my family. In 2023 my dad, the man I look up to, was told he had cancer, again, this time it was his lungs, and it was incurable, which as you can imagine for anyone was devastating to hear. But the story doesn't end there, that same day, my mum sat me down to also tell me she had found a lump, and her breast cancer was back. I couldn't believe it, both my parents with cancer at the same time. But again, the story doesn't end there. Not long after that, my partner, my fiancée, the mother of my child, told me she had found a lump in her breast, and that she too had cancer, at the age of 39. Not the hattrick I had hoped for. It was like getting hit with a wrecking ball, but we found some light as a few days later, we found out Naomi was pregnant with our second child. Her cancer was growing quickly, so she had to have surgery urgently to remove the tumour, shortly after the surgery we had a routine scan of the baby's progress, only to be told devastating news that there was no heartbeat. That was the second baby we had lost that year. We had no time to grieve the loss as Naomi had to carry on quickly with her treatment. After a gruelling 20 weeks of chemo, more surgery, 15 rounds of radiotherapy, and more medication than you can imagine, we're here to tell the unimaginable tail, JUST.

Rich added:- "Throughout this crazy journey, Naomi has had the support and still has the continued support of the Maggie's centre, Wirral. The dedicated team were there to listen when she just needed to cry, with cake and warm cups of team. Along with specialist support groups like the young women's cancer group she goes to where she has met other young women who have been told they too have cancer. Along with makeup sessions for women who are going through treatment and a plethora of other facilities and groups on offer. The support of Maggies is endless, not only did they support Naomi, but they also offered support to me. This amazing organisation can only operate by donations and fundraising, and now it's time to give something back for all that they have done for me and my family. This was not my 1st climb or challenge. I have done a few sporting challenges over the years involving the mountains, including:- the British 3 peaks, Kilimanjaro, Mont Blanc and The Matterhorn, but this is by far my biggest. The Dragons Back race has been around for quite some years now, and 1 that instantly stuck out to me when I 1st heard about it. It involves running 380km+ (240miles) through the mountainous spine of Wales with 17,400 m (58,000ft) of elevation from Conwy Castle in North Wales to Cardiff Castle in South Wales. I remember thinking that it was an insane challenge/race, and I couldn't fathom how you even do it. When I looked at the route, I fully understood why it has the trademark name as:- 'The World's Toughest Mountain Race.' In 2023 some experienced ultra running friends were talking about the race and they wanted to do it in 2024 as it usually takes about 12 months of training. My ears perked up obviously, and the seed was planted. Not long after that i got the devastating news about my father, my mum and my fiancé Naomi. Obviously, my full attention was then diverted to my family, but I kept running throughout the chaos, that we as a family were going through, as it is a huge help to me, not just for physical health, but for my mental health. I've had problems mental challenges over the years and running/fitness has always got me through these times, and it has definitely helped me through this chapter too. My parents and Naomi all started their treatment and received excellent support from Maggies Cancer Care Wirral. I was blown away with what they offer not just to the patients but also to the immediate family. This is when I realised, I must do the Dragons Back Race, to raise money for Maggies and give something back for all that they do. The problem being I only had 8 months to train for it, whilst trying to work, support Naomi through her treatment, be there as a father and juggle all other life challenges. This would not have been possible without the full support of Naomi and the immediate family around me. They have been incredible in supporting me through this journey, always encouraging me, supporting Naomi with care when I was having to train, I couldn't have done it without their support."

Rich continued:- "On Monday, 2 September, after many late nights, early mornings and weekends of running, I finally toed the line in Conwy with my friends that 12 months earlier had panted that seed to do this race.  Throughout the race Naomi, my parents, my daughter and Maggies where a constant drive to keep pushing on and to get to Cardiff. I kept telling myself:- 'iam blessed to be here, Iam blessed that I can run, Iam fortunate to experience this.' I would think of the Naomi and what she'd give to have energy be out in the hills as it is something she loves too, I'd think of the patients that I saw in oncology and in Maggies and what they would give to be able to move pain free. These where all little images I'd add to my fire to keep pushing on. I have to admit at times it was very emotional, and I got a bit tearful but again i turned it into positive energy and fuel for me to get to Cardiff. On Saturday, 7 September, 6 days after staring in Conwy I crossed the finish line in Cardiff, 58 hours 36 mins of running finishing in 9 position overall out of the 374 that started, with 124 managing to finish of that 374. To see Naomi, my dad and family and the finish line was the greatest feeling I could have asked for. That feeling I had looking at them both and my mum, knowing that the money raised from completing this epic challenge is going to help and support so many others like my family at the Maggies Cancer Care Wirral. I'm overwhelmed by the generous donations and messages that I received to help Maggie's Centre, to continue doing theiramazing work for every family that is going through their own cancer struggles now, and in the future."

Kathy Wright, Centre Head at Maggie's said:- "We are incredibly thankful to Rich for his fundraising achievements, and outstanding efforts, which will make a huge difference to our centre visitors. We cannot thank him enough, for taking on such a tough physical challenge during difficult times for him and his family. We are pleased to hear that Rich and his family have found comfort at Maggie's. If you or anyone you know is struggling with the impact of cancer, please do just drop in. We're here to support anyone affected by cancer, along with friends and family. We provide free practical, emotional and psychological support through an evidence-based programme of support."

Maggie's Wirral is built on the grounds of Clatterbridge Cancer Centre (Wirral) and is a warm and welcoming place acting as a safe haven and providing an alternative to the Hospital environment cancer patients and their friends and family see. Maggie's relies solely on voluntary donations to support the ongoing services and keep their doors open.