Pension top up

Railman, I would contact your local branch of either the Citizen's Advice Bureau (CAB), or Age UK(was Age Concern). Both have specialised advisors who can help you.

Any years not working but looking after children should count if her husband was working. Of course, if you remarry before pension age you lose that.

Thanks for your comments - I'll give the CAB and Age UK a call to see what I can dig out.

The only 'top up' I was able to uncover is for pensioners over 80, who have few or no NI contributions.

I did come across this reference though (https://www.gov.uk/boost-state-pension/eligibility), which includes this reference about looking after children:
Parents and carers
One of these must apply: you’re on Carer’s Allowance, Income Support
or getting Child Benefit for a child under 12You get credits
automatically.

This seems to suggest that once the child is over 12 years of age, the parent needs to go back to work to gain further NI contributions, or pay extra, or if going back to work, then childcare needs to be provided for a child over 12 years of age.

Hmmm - more investigation needed.

Good luck. Let us know how you get on. I may need the advice myself next year!

Railman
Why don't you just contact the Pension Service?
www.dwp.gov.uk./contact-us/
I have always found them very helpful.

Thanks janeainsworth - I've finally got around to calling the DWP.

The story is:
a) As I have full NI contributions, my wife's pension would be topped up to that figure.

b) If we don't see a change we need to call the DWP on 08456 060 265, and contact under the 'change of circumstance' category.

c) Also worth noting that the £64-40 figure is for 2012/13, and increases are currently linked to the RPI, which is set at 2.6% as of September this year.

Thanks for your advice - they were as you say very helpful.