Specified Adult Childcare Credits 2026/27: How Grandparents Can Boost Their State Pension
Specified Adult Childcare credits let a working-age grandparent providing childcare claim the National Insurance credit that would otherwise go unused by the parent claiming Child Benefit, boosting their State Pension.
A frequently missed way to boost the State Pension
Many working-age grandparents provide regular, substantial childcare for grandchildren so parents can work — but far fewer are aware that this childcare can translate directly into extra qualifying years towards their State Pension, at no cost, through Specified Adult Childcare credits.
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When a parent claims Child Benefit for a child under 12, they automatically receive a National Insurance credit towards their own State Pension for each week they're the main carer — this exists specifically to protect the State Pension records of parents who reduce paid work to care for young children. However, if that parent is already working and earning enough to pay National Insurance (or receive Class 1 credits) another way, they don't actually need this Child-Benefit-linked credit for themselves — it simply goes unused.
Specified Adult Childcare credits allow that otherwise-unused credit to be transferred to a family member — most commonly a grandparent — who is providing regular childcare for that child while the parent works, provided the grandparent is under State Pension age and doesn't already have a full qualifying year from other sources.
Worked example: a grandmother filling gap years
A grandmother left paid work early and has several gap years in her National Insurance record, threatening her ability to reach the 35 qualifying years needed for the full new State Pension. She has provided regular after-school and holiday childcare for her daughter's two children (both under 12) for the past four years, while her daughter works full-time and pays National Insurance through her job.
- The daughter, already building qualifying years through her own employment, doesn't need the Child-Benefit-linked NI credit herself
- The grandmother applies for Specified Adult Childcare credits covering the four years of childcare, with her daughter's agreement
- If approved, this adds four qualifying years directly to the grandmother's National Insurance record — for free, without paying any voluntary Class 3 contributions
Who can claim, and how far back
The credit is generally available to grandparents and certain other family members who provided care for a related child under 12 (or under 17 if the child has a disability) while the child's parent was working, for periods going back to 2011, when the scheme was introduced alongside Child Benefit's own credit mechanism. Multiple family members providing care across different periods can potentially claim for their respective periods, though the total credited weeks can't exceed the weeks the Child Benefit claimant would otherwise have used.
To apply, both the family member providing care and the Child Benefit claimant complete form CA9176 together, since the claimant's agreement — confirming they don't need the credit themselves — is a required part of the application.
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If you're a grandparent (or other family member) providing regular childcare so a relative can work, and you have gaps in your own National Insurance record, Specified Adult Childcare credits can be one of the most valuable, cost-free ways to protect your State Pension — worth checking even for childcare provided several years ago, since claims can generally be backdated to 2011.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What is a Specified Adult Childcare credit?
It is a National Insurance credit that can be transferred from a parent who is claiming Child Benefit for a child under 12 (and who doesn't need the associated NI credit themselves, typically because they're already working and paying NI) to a family member — most commonly a grandparent — who provides childcare for that child while the parent works.
Who normally qualifies to receive the credit?
It is typically claimed by grandparents or other family members under State Pension age who regularly care for a relative's child under 12 while the parent is working, and who are not themselves earning enough, or paying enough National Insurance, to get a qualifying year another way.
How many qualifying years do I need for the full State Pension?
You need 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions or credits for the full new State Pension, so each Specified Adult Childcare credit received adds one qualifying year towards that total, in exactly the same way a paid contribution would.
Does the parent lose out by transferring the credit?
No — the credit can only be transferred if the parent claiming Child Benefit doesn't need it themselves, which is usually because they are already earning above the National Insurance threshold and building a qualifying year through their own paid contributions, so nothing is lost by passing the otherwise-unused credit to the grandparent.
How far back can I claim Specified Adult Childcare credits?
You can generally claim for periods going back to 2011 (when Child Benefit was first paid alongside the credit for someone else's care), provided the child was under 12 throughout the period being claimed for and the other eligibility conditions are met.
How do I apply for the credit?
You apply using form CA9176, available on GOV.UK, which requires the Child Benefit claimant's agreement to confirm the childcare arrangement and that they don't need the credit themselves.
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Related reading
How to Fill National Insurance Gaps in 2026 — And Whether It's Worth It
Gaps in your National Insurance record reduce your State Pension. You can fill gaps going back 6 years with Class 3 voluntary NI at £18.40 per week. But not every gap is worth filling — here's how to work out if it pays.
Gaps in Your National Insurance Record 2026/27: How to Check and Fill Them
How to check your National Insurance record for gaps and fill them with voluntary Class 3 contributions at £18.40 a week in 2026/27, with a worked example of the State Pension impact.
Deferring Your State Pension in 2026/27: Is It Worth the Wait?
Deferring the new State Pension increases your weekly amount by 1% for every 9 weeks — about 5.8% for a full year. Worked example on the 2026/27 full rate of £241.30 a week.