HMRC is writing to 311,000 people about a State Pension error that could leave parents and carers missing out on thousands of pounds – with Martin Lewis warning the impact could be worth £100,000 or more over retirement.
Parents and carers who took time away from work to look after children or someone with a long-term disability could be affected by missing Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) on their National Insurance record.
The warning comes as HM Revenue and Customs confirms it is sending a further 311,000 letters to people who may be missing HRP from their National Insurance records.
The letters will be sent between now and the end of March 2027, with 215,000 going to people already above State Pension age.
The issue has been highlighted by MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who is urging people to check their records rather than assume they will be contacted.
In a post on social media, Martin Lewis warned: "If you cared for a child or someone with a long-term disability between 1978 and 2010, you could wrongly have National Insurance gaps that reduce your State Pension. 100,000s could be affected, and while the Govt was contacting people, it isn't any longer - as highlighted by former Pensions Minister Steve Webb. Thus the onus is on you to proactively check. The impact can be huge."
What is Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP)?
HRP was designed to protect the State Pension entitlement of parents and carers who stepped away from employment to care for children.
However, people who claimed Child Benefit before May 2000 did not always have to provide their National Insurance number. This means HRP may not have been automatically added to their record.
For those affected, correcting the record could increase their State Pension entitlement.
And for people who have already reached State Pension age, it could result in arrears being paid back.
How do I know if I'm eligible?
Since HMRC began sending letters in September 2023, more than 25,000 people have had HRP added to their National Insurance records.
Nearly all were already above State Pension age and have received a share of more than £100 million in pension arrears.
The average arrears payment has been around £8,000.
The Government has previously estimated that the impact of correcting some affected records could be substantial over the course of retirement.
State Pension error! Did you take time off work (1978 to 2010) to look after children or someone with long term disability? You could be owed £10,000s
Full help to check in... https://t.co/P4wepwqEKb
In brief: 100,000s wrongly have Nat Insurance gaps that reduce your State…— Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) July 23, 2025
You don't have to wait for an HMRC letter
HMRC says people can check whether they could be entitled to HRP themselves.
For the first time, those receiving the new letters will have the CF411 claim form enclosed, allowing them to complete it and return it by post.
The quickest way to check eligibility is online using the Government's HRP eligibility tool, and claims can also be submitted online.
If you became a parent before May 2000, you may have Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) missing from your National Insurance record. This could mean you're missing out on State Pension payments.
Check if you can apply for HRP below. ⬇️ https://t.co/xAqMfpngPe pic.twitter.com/JxNmBXDaqd— HM Revenue & Customs (@HMRCgovuk) May 19, 2025
HRP for caring for a sick or disabled person
If you spent at least 35 hours a week caring for someone with a long-term illness or disability between 6 April 1978 and 5 April 2002, you may also be able to claim.
They must have been getting one of the following benefits:
- Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance at the middle or highest rate for personal care
- Constant Attendance Allowance
The benefit must have been paid for 48 weeks of each tax year on or after 6 April 1988 or every week of each tax year before 6 April 1988.
If you were getting Carer’s Allowance
You do not need to apply for HRP if you were getting Carer’s Allowance. You’ll automatically get National Insurance credits and would not usually have needed HRP, but check - just to be sure.
In a post on X, HMRC said: "If you became a parent before May 2000, you may have Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) missing from your National Insurance record. This could mean you're missing out on State Pension payments."
For someone with 13 missing years, who lives for another 20 years, it can be worth as much as £100,000 or more in State Pension payments.
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- Almost one in three people in their 60s face this worrying money crisis
Do I need to pay a reclaims firm?
No. Crucially, claiming HRP is free. There is no need to pay a claims company or other third party to make an application.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “We’re hopeful that by including the claim form in the letter, people are more likely to fill it in, send it back and find out quickly and easily whether their entitlement will increase on retirement or, if they’ve reached State Pension age, they’re owed a payout.”
HRP was replaced by National Insurance credits in 2010, so people who started claiming Child Benefit after this date are not affected by this particular HRP issue.
Anyone who needs help can contact the National Insurance Helpline on 0300 200 3500.
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