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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

If I was a Sahm in the U.K., would I get my pension paid into?

220 replies

Nomoresundaynightdread · 08/05/2023 10:31

I’m British, but live abroad at the moment.
I was speaking to my mum, she was a Sahm for years when we were kids (common in the 80’s) she then when to work when we were a little older. She was saying to me that she received payment towards her pension? For staying at home, I’m sure it was until we were 18? Is this true and does that happen now?
Where I am, I’m sure it’s not the case at all and I have to work in order to pay into my future state pension.
Also, if you’re at home and not working, do you have free access to uni/college courses? I’ve always wanted to do a masters, but would have to pay for it myself where I am and we simply can’t afford it at the moment.
I’ve heard both these things, is it true?
Seems so much harder where I am, we don’t get benefits/help in the same way at all.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Ladysquamy · 08/05/2023 10:33

You get NI contributions for a basic state pension if you claim child benefit.

Ladysquamy · 08/05/2023 10:34

To my knowledge, in the UK, you won't get free university education. Certainly I had to pay for my degree when I was a young mum in Essex.

Heinzbakedbeans · 08/05/2023 10:34

If you claim child benefit then you'll been deemed to have contributed to state pension via NI contributions.

Seeline · 08/05/2023 10:35

Payments into state pension until DC is 12.

I don't think you get free uni stuff - no one does.

TwoBlueFish · 08/05/2023 10:37

You get national insurance contributions paid if you claim child benefit up-to your child turning 12.

some areas of the UK (Scotland definitively does) offer undergraduate degrees with no tuition fees for people who are resident of that area for a certain number of years. I’m not sure about post graduate courses.

Pinkydamage · 08/05/2023 10:37

Yes, you will receive NI qualification to entitle you to a state pension while you claim child benefit for children under 13yo. If DH earnings means you don't qualify, you can still claim and he pays it back in his tax code/tax return.

Any funding for education is based on household income though, so if your DH has a reasonable income, he'd be expected to fund that. Most is by way of loans not grants anyway.

LIZS · 08/05/2023 10:37

If you claim child benefit in UK you get ni credits up to child aged 12. Courses beyond 19l(ie. A levels or level 3) are not necessarily government funded but you can take out Student or Advanced Learner loans, apprenticeships or find specific funding, There are eligibility criteria for Student Finance which you may not meet if living abroad for past three years.

OrigamiOwls · 08/05/2023 10:40

Post graduate qualification aren't free if you're a SAHP (in England at least). If they were surely everyone who wanted a post grad would just quit their jobs, claim to be a SAHP and get it for free.

ThinWomansBrain · 08/05/2023 10:43

if you're planning to do a masters will you conduct all your research via MN?

Pinkydamage · 08/05/2023 10:47

ThinWomansBrain · 08/05/2023 10:43

if you're planning to do a masters will you conduct all your research via MN?

I really really hate this. All the superior responses "xyz happens and you come to MN"

Of course it's not the only information spirce people use, just like chatting to a friend about it wouldn't be the only advice a person takes, but it's a place to start.

Original poster
Nomoresundaynightdread · 08/05/2023 10:51

@ThinWomansBrain What?

OP posts:
Original poster
Nomoresundaynightdread · 08/05/2023 10:53

Thanks everyone, did it used to be until children were 18, not 12?
I’m trying to find out if it’s the case where I am (Portugal) but I really don’t think it is, wonder why it’s just the U.K.
I’ve worked all my life, I was just curious when my mum told me this as I assumed you always needed to work in order to pay into your pension

OP posts:
EveryWitchWaybutLoose · 08/05/2023 11:02

But as you've emigrated & are not living in the UK, I'm not sure what entitlements you have.

Original poster
Nomoresundaynightdread · 08/05/2023 11:06

@EveryWitchWaybutLoose No, I wouldn’t have any when living here, I mean if I moved back

OP posts:
LIZS · 08/05/2023 11:07

It may well have been 16 or 18 in 1980s. State pension won't be worth much by your retirement age though. Most EU countries have equivalent to cb but not linked to pension or state funding, especially if you are an expat.

Mimosa08 · 08/05/2023 11:12

I'm sure the old style family allowance was until 16
Child benefit ni contribution is now to 12

Pinkydamage · 08/05/2023 11:12

Nomoresundaynightdread · 08/05/2023 10:53

Thanks everyone, did it used to be until children were 18, not 12?
I’m trying to find out if it’s the case where I am (Portugal) but I really don’t think it is, wonder why it’s just the U.K.
I’ve worked all my life, I was just curious when my mum told me this as I assumed you always needed to work in order to pay into your pension

It was only introduced in 2011 so unlikely it's what you mother benefited from. Wives did used to get some credit from husband's contributions though.

Swishhh · 08/05/2023 11:15

It used to be until the term after left school up to a possible age of 19 (or 18) and the maximum amount of years was 22 years.

Swishhh · 08/05/2023 11:16

No you don’t need to be in paid employment to get the state pension, claiming certain benefits such as carers allowance counts.

Pinkydamage · 08/05/2023 11:17

Swishhh · 08/05/2023 11:15

It used to be until the term after left school up to a possible age of 19 (or 18) and the maximum amount of years was 22 years.

It still is for the child benefit payments, the NI credits stop earlier, but they only started in 2011.

ShowUs · 08/05/2023 11:19

I didn’t actually know about your child benefit payments going towards your pension.

I do know about the masters as I’m looking into it myself 😁

You do not get it paid but you can get a loan to pay for it which you can pay off bit by bit.

However, I have not done the masters yet because I don’t think I’d be able to afford to live.

My only option seems to be doing it part time for 2 days a week and then working the other 3 days but this would be financially tight and would be hard work having to do the assignments during the evenings.

Original poster
Nomoresundaynightdread · 08/05/2023 11:19

@Pinkydamage So it would pay into
your pension until
they are 18 or so, not 12? Sorry it’s a bit confusing

OP posts:
Original poster
Nomoresundaynightdread · 08/05/2023 11:21

So, is every family entitled to child benefit? What happens if you work and have child benefit, do you have both parts to contribute to your pension?

OP posts:
LIZS · 08/05/2023 11:22

Nomoresundaynightdread · 08/05/2023 11:19

@Pinkydamage So it would pay into
your pension until
they are 18 or so, not 12? Sorry it’s a bit confusing

No 12, payments are up to 19 and still in full time education if income is below threshold.

Original poster
Nomoresundaynightdread · 08/05/2023 11:24

@LIZS Ok great thank you

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