What Are National Insurance Credits?
National Insurance (NI) credits are free additions to your NI record that count towards your State Pension entitlement. They are designed to protect your pension when you cannot work or earn enough to pay NI contributions – for example, when raising children, caring for a relative, or during periods of illness or unemployment.
NI credits work in exactly the same way as paid NI contributions for State Pension purposes. A qualifying year built entirely from credits is worth just as much as one where you paid full NI through employment. You need 35 qualifying years for the full new State Pension of £230.25 per week (2026/27 rate).
Types of NI Credits Available
There are many situations where NI credits are awarded. Here is a comprehensive overview of the main types:
| Situation | Credit Type | Automatic? | Counts Towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child Benefit (child under 12) | Class 3 | Yes (if claiming) | State Pension only |
| Carer’s Allowance | Class 1 | Yes | State Pension + contributory benefits |
| Jobseeker’s Allowance | Class 1 | Yes | State Pension + contributory benefits |
| Employment and Support Allowance | Class 1 | Yes | State Pension + contributory benefits |
| Universal Credit | Class 3 | Varies | State Pension only |
| Specified Adult Childcare Credits | Class 3 | No (must apply) | State Pension only |
| Jury service | Class 3 | No (must apply) | State Pension only |
| Working Tax Credit | Class 3 | Yes | State Pension only |
Child Benefit and NI Credits
One of the most important and widely used NI credits is the one attached to Child Benefit. If you claim Child Benefit for a child under 12, you automatically receive Class 3 NI credits for each week you are the main carer.
Who Gets the Credit?
The NI credit goes to the person who claims Child Benefit – usually the main carer. In a couple, this is often the parent who stays at home or works fewer hours. If both parents work and the higher earner claims Child Benefit, the NI credit may be wasted if they are already building qualifying years through employment.
In this situation, it is worth considering who should make the Child Benefit claim. The non-working or lower-earning parent should be the claimant to ensure the NI credits go to the person who needs them most.
What Happens When Your Child Turns 12?
NI credits from Child Benefit stop when your youngest child turns 12. If you are still not working (or earning below the NI threshold) at that point, you will need another source of credits or to consider paying voluntary contributions.
Specified Adult Childcare Credits
This is one of the most overlooked NI credits and can be particularly valuable for grandparents. If you look after a grandchild (or other family member’s child) under 12 for at least 20 hours per week while the parent is at work, you can receive the NI credit that would otherwise go to the parent.
How It Works
- The parent must be claiming Child Benefit and must already have a qualifying year through employment (so they do not need the NI credit themselves)
- The parent applies to transfer their NI credit to you using HMRC form CA9176
- Once approved, you receive Class 3 NI credits that count towards your State Pension
Carer’s Allowance and NI Credits
If you receive Carer’s Allowance for looking after someone at least 35 hours per week, you automatically receive Class 1 NI credits. These credits are particularly valuable because they count towards both the State Pension and contributory benefits like Employment and Support Allowance.
To qualify for Carer’s Allowance, you must:
- Care for someone who receives a qualifying disability benefit (such as the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment)
- Provide care for at least 35 hours per week
- Not be in full-time education (21 hours or more per week)
- Earn no more than £151 per week (after deductions) from employment
Even if you are not eligible for Carer’s Allowance payments (because you receive another overlapping benefit), you may still be able to get Carer’s Credit, which provides NI credits for caring at least 20 hours per week.
Credits During Unemployment
If you are unemployed and claiming benefits, you will normally receive NI credits:
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA): You receive Class 1 NI credits automatically for each week you claim, whether you receive contribution-based or income-based JSA
- Universal Credit: If you are in the “all work-related requirements” group, you receive Class 3 NI credits. Other Universal Credit groups may also receive credits depending on circumstances
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA): You receive Class 1 NI credits for each week you claim, whether in the support group or work-related activity group
Other Sources of NI Credits
National Insurance Credits for Gaps at Age 16-18
You are automatically awarded NI credits for the tax years in which you turned 16, 17, and 18 (up to the start of the tax year in which you turned 20 if you were born before 6 April 1957). These help cover the period before most people start employment.
Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Pay
If you receive Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay, Statutory Adoption Pay, or Maternity Allowance, you will normally receive NI credits for the duration of your pay period.
Training and Approved Courses
If you are on a government-approved training course and are aged 18 or over, you may be eligible for NI credits during your training period. This does not include standard university education.
Jury Service
If you serve on a jury, you can claim NI credits for each day of service. This is not automatic – you must apply to HMRC after your jury service ends.
How to Check Your Credits
You can see whether NI credits have been applied to your record by checking your NI record online at GOV.UK. Each tax year will show whether it is a full qualifying year and the source of your contributions and credits.
If you believe you are entitled to credits that do not appear on your record, contact HMRC on 0300 200 3500. It is worth checking regularly, especially if you have changed circumstances during the tax year.
Credits You May Be Missing
Many people miss out on NI credits they are entitled to. Common missed credits include:
- Child Benefit credits: Parents who did not register for Child Benefit because of the High Income Child Benefit Charge
- Specified Adult Childcare Credits: Grandparents and other family members who provide regular childcare
- Carer’s Credit: People who care for someone 20+ hours per week but do not qualify for Carer’s Allowance
- Jury service credits: People who served on juries but did not apply for credits afterwards
If you have gaps in your NI record that could have been covered by credits, contact HMRC. Some credits can be backdated, potentially saving you from having to pay for voluntary contributions.