Entitlement to certain benefits can preserve your entitlement to the state pension, as since 2010, NI credits are automatically awarded to provide qualifying years on your NI record. Before 2010 this was known as home responsibilities protection (HRP). However, Child Benefit claimants who did not include their NI number on the application form before May 2000 may not have had their NI record credited with HRP. This means that there are potentially tens of thousands of people receiving a lower state pension than they should be. HMRC is therefore working with the DWP and urging individuals who may be affected to check whether they can make a claim to update their NI record.