Menu
02/12/2005
Carers losing out on £746m in benefits
People who give up work to become carers are losing out on £746 million in benefits, according to a report.
Charity group Carers UK said that older carers were particularly hard hit. The charity said that around 250,000 carers aged over 60 were missing out on their entitlement to pension credit, while a further 64,000 also lost out on the extra Carer Addition benefit.
Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive of Carers UK, estimated that £86 million worth of Carer Addition benefit that had gone unclaimed could be “just the tip of the iceberg”.
The report also found that one in ten older carers is having to cutback on food to make ends meet, while 68% were also having to cut back on other essentials such as clothes and heating.
Women suffered the biggest financial impact by becoming a carer, the report found. Twice as many female respondents reported that caring had restricted their ability to save for a pension, while more women were likely to have left work because of their caring role.
However, men aged between 60–64 also identified themselves as seriously financially affected.
The figures were published to mark the sixth Carers Rights Day, a national day of action organised by Carers UK to raise awareness of carer’s benefits and their rights under current legislation.
Ms Redmond said: “Claiming Pension Credit can clearly make a difference to carers’ lives. It is vital that carers claim their entitlements. We know that if they don’t, they struggle on a low income and this affects their health and well-being.
“Carers can easily suffer a ‘double whammy’. For younger carers under the age of 60, giving up work and not claiming the right benefits on time can mean lasting poverty because their pensions will not be protected. Some 390,000 carers are currently not building up rights to a state pension. Then, in retirement, if they have small pension or savings, they may still not get their entitlements.”
The charity has called for better information on benefits, rights and support services; tailored advice on major financial decisions; flexibility from employers; and an adequate income to be provided for those carers not in work.”
(KMcA/SP)
Charity group Carers UK said that older carers were particularly hard hit. The charity said that around 250,000 carers aged over 60 were missing out on their entitlement to pension credit, while a further 64,000 also lost out on the extra Carer Addition benefit.
Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive of Carers UK, estimated that £86 million worth of Carer Addition benefit that had gone unclaimed could be “just the tip of the iceberg”.
The report also found that one in ten older carers is having to cutback on food to make ends meet, while 68% were also having to cut back on other essentials such as clothes and heating.
Women suffered the biggest financial impact by becoming a carer, the report found. Twice as many female respondents reported that caring had restricted their ability to save for a pension, while more women were likely to have left work because of their caring role.
However, men aged between 60–64 also identified themselves as seriously financially affected.
The figures were published to mark the sixth Carers Rights Day, a national day of action organised by Carers UK to raise awareness of carer’s benefits and their rights under current legislation.
Ms Redmond said: “Claiming Pension Credit can clearly make a difference to carers’ lives. It is vital that carers claim their entitlements. We know that if they don’t, they struggle on a low income and this affects their health and well-being.
“Carers can easily suffer a ‘double whammy’. For younger carers under the age of 60, giving up work and not claiming the right benefits on time can mean lasting poverty because their pensions will not be protected. Some 390,000 carers are currently not building up rights to a state pension. Then, in retirement, if they have small pension or savings, they may still not get their entitlements.”
The charity has called for better information on benefits, rights and support services; tailored advice on major financial decisions; flexibility from employers; and an adequate income to be provided for those carers not in work.”
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 December 2003
Better information provided for carers in UK
Carers are to get better information about vital services thanks to new information leaflets. Produced by Carers UK and funded by the Department of Health and British Gas, the leaflets provide information to all carers on rights, benefits and breaks in a clear format.
Better information provided for carers in UK
Carers are to get better information about vital services thanks to new information leaflets. Produced by Carers UK and funded by the Department of Health and British Gas, the leaflets provide information to all carers on rights, benefits and breaks in a clear format.
29 August 2008
More Financial Help Needed For British Carers
Around six million people in Britain who are looking after sick and elderly relatives are not receiving adequate financial support, a new report has revealed. The Work and Pensions Select Committee today published the report entitled 'Valuing and Supporting Carers'.
More Financial Help Needed For British Carers
Around six million people in Britain who are looking after sick and elderly relatives are not receiving adequate financial support, a new report has revealed. The Work and Pensions Select Committee today published the report entitled 'Valuing and Supporting Carers'.
22 November 2006
ITV pensions plan sparks union strike threat
Unions are threatening to take industrial action at ITV over proposals to close the company's final salaries pension scheme. The three main ITV unions, Bectu, NUJ, and Amicus have promised to call a strike ballot if ITV closes its final salary pension scheme and transfer staff to a less generous "career average" scheme.
ITV pensions plan sparks union strike threat
Unions are threatening to take industrial action at ITV over proposals to close the company's final salaries pension scheme. The three main ITV unions, Bectu, NUJ, and Amicus have promised to call a strike ballot if ITV closes its final salary pension scheme and transfer staff to a less generous "career average" scheme.
26 October 2004
Same-sex couples get pensions rights boost
Changes announced today by the government will mean that same sex couples will gain pension benefits in contracted-out schemes. Under the proposals, civil partners will now have the right to pass on survivor pensions as married people do.
Same-sex couples get pensions rights boost
Changes announced today by the government will mean that same sex couples will gain pension benefits in contracted-out schemes. Under the proposals, civil partners will now have the right to pass on survivor pensions as married people do.
17 November 2005
State pension age could rise
Britain’s workers could face an increased state pension, but they may have to work longer before they can claim it.
State pension age could rise
Britain’s workers could face an increased state pension, but they may have to work longer before they can claim it.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Clear start with a fairly widespread frost developing. Increasing cloud brings occasionally heavy rain overnight, preceded, especially over western hills, briefly by snow. Occasional southeasterly gales, severe near coasts, developing. Minimum temperature -2 °C.
