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AIBU?

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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
Pinkydamage · 08/05/2023 11:25

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, until 2011 if you were SAHM there was no NI payment. NI contributions don't pay into a pension as such, but you need to have made 35 years worth to qualify for a full state pension.

Since 2011 if you are not working but claim CB, you are treated as if you've made the NI contributions for state pension purposes until child is 12/13 (I'd have to check which)

CB payments continue until the child is 18 if in FT education, for parents who are entitled to them(neither parent earns more than £60k).

In order to get the credits, if you're not entitled because of DH's income, you can claim and pay it back via DH income tax.

LIZS · 08/05/2023 11:26

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?

You can register for child benefit(to get ni credits and a ni number for child) but if an adult in household earns over 50k it is repayable via a tax return , in part for earnings up to 60k in full above or you can opt out of receiving payments.

DustyLee123 · 08/05/2023 11:28

The payments are towards your old age pension, not a private pension.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 08/05/2023 11:29

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?

Everyone is entitled to claim child benefit, but if you earn over a certain amount each year, you have to pay it back. That's why SAHM's to high earners are always encouraged to put in claims for child benefits.

If you don't work and your child is under 12, you will get NI credits to go towards your pension.
If you do work and don't earn enough to pay NI, you get NI credits to go towards your pension.

https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit/what-youll-get

Child Benefit

Child Benefit - child benefit rates, eligibility, how to claim, child benefit claim form CH2

https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit/what-youll-get

Original poster
Nomoresundaynightdread · 08/05/2023 11:30

No, I know it’s not for a private pension, if only!

Strange my mum was the one telling me about it, if it only started in 2011, I’m
sure she said she had the same Webb we were children. She definitely has her full pension now and didn’t work for 35 years I don’t think

OP posts:
Original poster
Nomoresundaynightdread · 08/05/2023 11:31

Is anyone really knowledgeable on these things and know if it’s a similar thing in Portugal? I’ve researched so much and can’t find any info

OP posts:
LIZS · 08/05/2023 11:33

But if you are working in UK that normally funds the ni credit instead of cb.

SpringNotSprung · 08/05/2023 11:33

My NI record shows full credits from 1996 to 2003 when I was a SAHM and in receipt of universal child benefit.

To claim the full state pension of £10,200 women and men need 35 years of qualifying NI credits. Any periods of contracting out, ie, if people were in the LGPS prior to 2014, are excluded from this.

Alongside the state pension some.people have membership of occupational schemes. These are paid in addition to the state pension.

You could not take a degree in the UK free of charge. You would pay via the student loans scheme. The anomaly is that if a person then does not work or earn enough to reach the threshold, or if they go to live overseas, they will never have to pay it off. It's ironic that those who work in the UK and pay their dues pay for their education, but those who don't effectively get it for nothing. It makes my blood boil.

Original poster
Nomoresundaynightdread · 08/05/2023 11:36

Thanks so much everyone for all the info.

What is the amount your partner would need to earn to qualify for child benefits?

OP posts:
greyhairnomore · 08/05/2023 11:39

If you earn under a certain amount OU Is cheaper or free.

LIZS · 08/05/2023 11:40

Less than 50k for full, less than 60k for any. Above that you are eligible for nothing. That is either partner earnings threshold to claim.

TheApplianceofScience · 08/05/2023 11:41

Nomoresundaynightdread · 08/05/2023 11:36

Thanks so much everyone for all the info.

What is the amount your partner would need to earn to qualify for child benefits?

Under £50 k and yet two of you can earn £40 k and still qualify. Shockingly inequitable system. IMO

LIZS · 08/05/2023 11:42

Iirc you have to be normally resident for a period before you can claim.

Original poster
Nomoresundaynightdread · 08/05/2023 11:44

Can’t believe how much they help people out. How much is child benefit per month?
It must be so much easier to be a Sahm mum if say your partner earns 40 odd grand, do people take advantage of that? I don’t mean in a bad way, but choose to stay with their children at home more?
I don’t have the option where I am, in terms of being worried about my future pension

OP posts:
Original poster
Nomoresundaynightdread · 08/05/2023 11:45

@LIZS Do you know how long?
Ive paid into both systems all my life, since working part time from age 15, then part time through college & uni, then full time from 23 until now at 45

OP posts:
Fighterofthenightman1 · 08/05/2023 11:46

ThinWomansBrain · 08/05/2023 10:43

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

Wow

Twobyfour · 08/05/2023 11:46

Pretty sure you have to be resident in the UK to get child benefit. I think the payment protects NI contributions up to 12 years of age. You can make voluntary NI payments, when you live abroad, but you have to pay it in 1 year lumps and it’s a rigmarole (hang on the phone ages to talk to someone to get a banking transfer reference no.)

It used to be 30 years work to get a full pension and pension age was then 60 for women. The age the old he pension starts has increased and is increasing further still. What applied for your mum may have changed so you would be wise to check on the facts on UK.GOV

Twobyfour · 08/05/2023 11:48

Sorry 30 full years NI contributions

mrshenny · 08/05/2023 11:51

Yes, NI contributions through child benefit till 12 or 13, it used to be longer. If partner earns over £60k you can claim child benefit to get the NI contributions and ask them not to pay you it so you don't have to pay it back.

Higher education isn't free

Heinzbakedbeans · 08/05/2023 11:51

£40k salary won't be enough to buy a home in large parts of the UK so CB isn't an incentive for many to be a SAHM.

Pussycatbeen · 08/05/2023 11:51

ThinWomansBrain · 08/05/2023 10:43

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

Actually I do use Mumsnet for ideas for my work (supporting parents of young children), because googling or finding academic articles takes far longer and here there's a wide range of responses and often useful suggestions for resources.

knittingaddict · 08/05/2023 11:52

I definitely had years credited to my NI contributions when I was a sahm from 1987 to 1995. We were claiming child benefit as everyone could then.

Lennia · 08/05/2023 11:54

ThinWomansBrain · 08/05/2023 10:43

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

I know, it’s unbelievable isn’t it! The Gov website couldn’t be any clearer on this!

Pussycatbeen · 08/05/2023 11:55

Nowadays you can get a student loan to do a master's, if you don't have a master's already. You only start paying it back after you're earning a certain amount.

So yes, you'd get state pension contributions if claiming child benefit (which depends on income level) and you could do a master's if you get a place on one and if you're eligible for a loan. It isn't free, though, unless you're able to get it funded (usually only if you have a first class bachelor's or meet other competitive criteria).

knittingaddict · 08/05/2023 11:56

Instead of going back to work part-time I could have received those contributing years based on receiving child benefit. Might have been up to last child reaching 16 or 18. Not sure.

In any case that's all changed now. It's the current rules that are relevant.