Do foster carers get a pension?

Fostering as a career is suitable for individuals over the age of 21 and has no upper age limit subject to your ability to mentally and physically care for the child. If you are thinking about fostering and have questions regarding your pension, our helpful guide has you covered.  

Will fostering affect my State Pension?  

Working as a foster carer will not affect your state pension contribution. The new State Pension scheme now dictates that your State Pension entitlement is dependent on your National Insurance contribution. You will earn Class 2 or Class 4 National insurance credits that are valid for each week that you are approved as a foster carer, which counts towards the basic and additional State Pension – meaning the work you do as a foster carer will count towards your National Insurance contribution.  

In order to claim your National Insurance credits, you will need to fill out and complete a CF411A form and submit it to HMRC annually alongside evidence that you are a foster carer. The form can be sent via post or completed online using your Government Gateway account.   

Can foster parents claim a pension?  

If you are a foster parent and are retired or semi-retired, you are able to claim a pension. As there is no default retirement age within the UK, you are able to continue working as a foster carer and claim your state pension as long as you have reached the state pension age of 66 years old. If you have a private pension, you are able to continue to work as a foster carer and claim your pension on the condition you have reached the age that was agreed with your provider.  

Can I foster at retirement age?  

Fostering is a rewarding career that is suitable for any age. We ask that you are over the age of 21, have a spare bedroom available, but above all, are able to provide a loving and caring home for the children in your care. For those reaching retirement age, you may feel as though you have the life experience and maturity to provide a nurturing and loving environment for a foster child. You may have had a career that has provided you with transferable and important life skills that are relevant to becoming a good foster carer if you choose to do so during retirement.  

If you are considering fostering during your retirement and would like to find out more about the benefits of fostering with Excel, simply contact a friendly member of our team today or learn more about our foster care requirements here.