Independent State Pension specialists
Your pension matters. Let's make sure your records are right.
Years spent raising a family or caring for others may not have been recorded correctly. We check your National Insurance record, explain what we find, and handle the paperwork if a claim is worth making.
Which years could HRP cover?
Tax years 1978 to 2010An illustration to help you see the years involved. It doesn't look at your actual record.
letters sent by HMRC to people who may be missing HRP
paid in arrears so far after HRP was added back to records
years of HRP can count towards the basic State Pension
Source: GOV.UK, HRP State Pension underpayments, progress to 31 March 2025. Every case is different and we can't promise anyone is owed money.
Who might be affected
Mistakes in National Insurance records and pension awards are more common than people think. These are the situations we check most often.
Parents
You were paid Child Benefit for a child under 16 between 1978 and 2010, and your first claim was before May 2000. This is where most missing years are found.
Carers
You looked after someone sick or disabled between 1978 and 2010, or fostered a child from 2003.
Widows and widowers
You may be able to inherit part of your late husband's, wife's or civil partner's State Pension.
Married women
On a low basic State Pension, you may be due an increase based on your husband's record.
People aged 80 and over
Some people over 80 on a low State Pension can get a top up they never received.
How it works
Four steps. We do the paperwork and the chasing, and you can stop at any point.
- 1
Tell us about you
Answer a few questions online or over the phone. It takes a few minutes.
- 2
We check your records
With your permission, we look at your National Insurance record and pension award for gaps.
- 3
We make the claim
We deal with HMRC and DWP for you, chase them and keep you updated.
- 4
DWP pays you
Any back payment goes straight into your bank account, and your weekly pension goes up.
One fee, and only if you're paid
of the back payment you receive, including VAT (30% plus VAT).
- Nothing to pay upfront
- Nothing to pay if no money is paid to you
- Nothing taken from your weekly pension going forward
- 14 days to change your mind after signing up
Try it with your own number
Move the slider or type an amount to see our fee and what you keep.
Do it yourself, or let us do it
You can apply to HMRC for free, and we'll always tell you how. Some people would rather hand it over.
On your own
- Cost
- Free
- Finding the missing years
- You read your NI record and work out the gaps
- Paperwork
- You fill in form CF411 and gather the details
- Chasing
- You follow up with HMRC and DWP
With Penmores
- Cost
- 36% of any back payment, nothing if nothing is paid
- Finding the missing years
- We check your record and explain what we find
- Paperwork
- We prepare it and you sign
- Chasing
- We chase and keep you updated
Questions people ask us
Can't see yours? Call us and talk it through. There's no obligation.
Is Penmores part of the government?
No. We are an independent company, not part of HMRC, DWP or the government. You can apply to HMRC for missing HRP yourself for free. We offer a paid service for people who would rather we did the work.
Do I need to have had a letter from HMRC?
No. HMRC has written to many people it thinks are affected, but not everyone. You can check your record and apply without a letter.
Will you ask for my bank details?
Never. DWP pays any back payment straight into your own account. We send an invoice afterwards. We never ask for card numbers, PINs, passwords or upfront payment.
How long does it take?
It depends on HMRC and DWP and how complicated your case is. Many claims take several months. We keep you updated and chase on your behalf.
Can I help my mum or dad with this?
Yes, and many people do. We just need your parent to agree and sign the authority themselves, or for you to have power of attorney.
Ready to check?
The online check takes a few minutes. If you'd rather talk, call us and we'll go through it together, or ask a family member to help.
Useful to have to hand
- Your National Insurance numberOn a payslip, P60 or letter from HMRC or DWP
- Your children's names and dates of birth
- Roughly when you claimed Child Benefit
- Any previous surnames and addresses
Tick them off as you find them. Don't worry if you can't find everything.
You don't have to use us. Anyone can apply to HMRC for missing HRP for free, online or by post. Our service is optional and paid.
Apply free on GOV.UK