Grandparents who provide childcare for children under 12 years old may be eligible for state pension credits that can increase their pension payments by approximately £359 annually. These so-called specified adult childcare credits are available to those who look after children whose parents are employed and do not require the credits to fill gaps in their own National Insurance records.

Applicants do not need to meet a minimum hourly requirement; rather, a parent must confirm that childcare was provided. This scheme has helped about 160,000 individuals, mostly grandparents, successfully claim these credits between 2016 and 2025, according to data from HM Revenue & Customs obtained by a financial services company.

The credits add to National Insurance contribution years, with each credit equating to an additional 1/35th toward the state pension. Given the current full state pension stands at £241.30 per week, this translates to an increase of around £6.90 weekly or £359 annually per credit. Claimants can apply retrospectively for credits dating back to 2011.

This provision is particularly beneficial for those who have fewer than the 10 years required to qualify for any state pension or who have not yet reached the 35 years needed to receive the full pension amount. Applications for specified adult childcare credits are processed through the UK government website.