I have gaps in employment on my state pensions, should I pay them now?

[Bebobasil]

I have gaps for several years. Two are still in the extended pay the extra dates.
im trying to work out if I should pay them. I don’t get dc benefit because my dh earns too much, most years are ‘full’ through employment but I had a few years between starting working age 16 and 20 where I didn’t work and these are showing as not full, two of those tax years I can pay the gap for but I only have until today to do so as that’s the hmrc deadline.
I’m 39 now.

This is what I would have done too. Now you can research properly, and make the right choice for you.

Why does mine say
It’s too late to pay for this year. You can usually only pay for the last 6 years.

I'm so annoyed at myself for leaving it so late! So dumb. I thought today was the deadline.

Which year, @stampyl?

You can’t pay for any gaps before April 2006.

Today is the deadline to pay any gaps between April 2006 and 2018. If the gap is in that period, you need to use the online form to request a callback to meet the deadline.

Here, @stampyl :

secure.dwp.gov.uk/request-a-call-back-to-pay-voluntary-national-insurance-contributions/contact-form

Oh my goodness, thank you, you lovely person. I have sent a request

My forecast says I'll get 204.88 a week if I contribute until pension age. That means I have to pay some gaps isn't it, to get the full amount?

It sounds like it, @stampyl.

I mentioned this on another thread but I’m going to say it again in case it helpful to anyone else reading thread as OP has brought up the issue of not claiming child benefit because one parent is earning over the limit and missing out on NI credits.

If both parents are working and don’t need the child benefit NI credit, those credits can be transferred to a grandparent or other family member if they are providing child care during the parents’ working hours eg instead of nursery or breakfast/after school clubs.