Automatic credits

According to GOV.UK, you normally get credits automatically if you are on Jobseeker's Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Maternity Allowance, Carer's Allowance (or Carer Support Payment in Scotland) or Universal Credit, or if you are a parent registered for Child Benefit for a child under 12, even if you have opted out of receiving the payments.

Credits you must apply for

  • Carer's credit if you care for one or more sick or disabled people for at least 20 hours a week and do not get Carer's Allowance.
  • Specified Adult Childcare credits for grandparents and other family members under State Pension age who cared for a child under 12 since 6 April 2011, if the parent receiving Child Benefit agrees to transfer the credit.
  • Statutory Sick Pay or statutory parental pay when your earnings were too low for a qualifying year: write to HMRC (PT Operations North East England, HM Revenue and Customs, BX9 1AN).
  • Jury service, some training courses, and partners of armed forces members on overseas postings.

Worked example: a parent who opted out of Child Benefit

Sara stopped claiming Child Benefit in 2019 because of the High Income Child Benefit Charge, but her partner earned more and she worked part time with earnings below the lower earnings limit. If she stayed registered for Child Benefit while opting out of the payments, she would get Class 3 credits for each year her child was under 12. If she withdrew the claim completely, those years may show as gaps. A transfer of credits between parents is also possible in some cases.

Each credited year is worth the same to the State Pension calculation as a paid year: under the new State Pension it can add 1/35 of the full rate, about £6.89 a week in 2026/27, if you are below the maximum.

How to check and claim

  1. Open your National Insurance record and list each gap year.
  2. For each year, write down what you were doing: caring, claiming benefits, raising young children, sick or abroad.
  3. Compare with the eligibility list on GOV.UK and apply for any credits you have not received.
  4. Only consider voluntary contributions for years that credits cannot fill.

Frequently asked questions

Do NI credits count the same as paid contributions?

For the new State Pension, a credited qualifying year counts in the same way as a year of paid contributions.

Do I get credits if I opt out of Child Benefit payments?

Yes. If you are registered for Child Benefit for a child under 12 and choose not to receive payments, you still get Class 3 credits automatically.

Can grandparents get NI credits for childcare?

Yes. Eligible family members under State Pension age who cared for a child under 12 can apply for Specified Adult Childcare credits if the parent receiving Child Benefit agrees to transfer them.

Sources

Figures are for the 2026/27 tax year and were checked against GOV.UK on 31 October 2026.

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