Thousands of women who may have missed the chance to boost their state pensions could claim lump sums of as much as £1,400, the government said last week.

Separately, it has admitted it is trawling through the National Insurance records of tens of thousands more women who should have been automatically entitled to home responsibilities protection (HRP) but never received it. We explain the finer points.

Who might be entitled to a lump sum?

Women who have gaps in their national insurance record between April 1996 and April 2002 are entitled to “buy back” the missing years at a special rate. The boost to the state pension is backdated to when the women first drew it (usually at 60) and could result in a payout of about £1,400.

About 73,000 people should have been contacted about these special terms, but weren’t because they already received married women’s pension. The government is now reviewing their records.

How can I find out if I’m entitled?

The Directgov and Pensions Service websites have been updated to provide simple information, allowing people to identify whether they could benefit. They can also call 0845 602 1785 to get a factsheet.

Will I have to pay anything?

Women who reached state pension age before October 24, 2004, may not have to pay upfront. If the amount they are owed in backdated state pension is more than the cost of buying missing National Insurance years, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will simply pay the difference.

So what about HRP?

Essentially, women who took time off work to care for their children should have been given this compensatory National Insurance benefit from 1978.

It means that rather than having a full record of 39 years of payments to get a full state pension, you only need to have 20. So you can be compensated for 19 years of childcare, without losing state pension entitlements.

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