Claiming Child Benefit from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) can automatically increase future State Pension payments through National Insurance credits. The benefit, paid to parents or carers responsible for a child under 16 (or under 20 if in approved education or training), provides a weekly allowance and an unexpected pension perk.
How Child Benefit Protects Your State Pension
Child Benefit payments are £27.05 per week for the first or eldest child and £17.90 for additional children. Alongside financial support, recipients automatically receive National Insurance credits that count towards their State Pension, helping to fill gaps in their National Insurance record—for instance, during maternity leave or periods without sufficient earnings to pay contributions.
HMRC stated: "By claiming Child Benefit, you can get: an allowance paid to you for each child - you’ll usually get it every 4 weeks; National Insurance credits which count towards your State Pension; a National Insurance number for your child without them having to apply for one - they’ll usually get the number shortly before they turn 16 years old."
Claiming Even Without Payments
If you choose not to receive Child Benefit payments, you should still make a claim to obtain the other advantages. HMRC added: "You’ll get National Insurance credits automatically if you claim Child Benefit and your child is under 12. These credits count towards your State Pension, so you do not have gaps in your National Insurance record if either you’re not working or you do not earn enough to pay National Insurance contributions."
Transferring Credits to a Partner
If you do not need the National Insurance credits, your family may be eligible for support instead. Either your husband, wife or partner can apply to transfer the credits, or a different family member who provides care for your child can apply for Specified Adult Childcare credits.
State Pension Requirements
To get any new State Pension, you need a minimum of 10 qualifying years on your National Insurance record. Generally, 35 qualifying years are required for the full rate, currently £241.30 per week. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) explained: “If your National Insurance record started before April 2016, you may have been contracted out. While you were contracted out, you or your employer paid more into your workplace or private pension and less into your State Pension. If you were contracted out, you will usually need more than 35 qualifying years to get the full rate of new State Pension. If your National Insurance record started after April 2016, you will need 35 qualifying years to get the full rate of new State Pension.”
How to Claim Child Benefit
You can claim Child Benefit 48 hours after registering the birth of your child, or once a child comes to live with you, and it can be backdated for up to three months from the date of claim. Only one person can get Child Benefit for a child, so parents and carers must decide who is best to claim it—the claimant receives the National Insurance credits towards their State Pension.
High Income Child Benefit Charge
If a Child Benefit claimant or their partner has an individual income between £60,000 and £80,000, the higher earner may be liable for the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC). For the 2026/27 tax year, 1% of Child Benefit payments must be repaid to HMRC for every £200 earned above £60,000. For households with earnings of £80,000 or more, all Child Benefit must be repaid. If income exceeds the threshold, you can either receive payments and pay the tax charge, or opt out of payments and avoid the charge. Those who opt out remain registered for the benefit, so they still receive National Insurance credits and a National Insurance number for their child without applying before age 16.
