Question; sahm and state pension, help please

[Greywackejones]

Hello

I've been a sahm since dd1 born dec 2010. I had mat leave for a year, then made redundant on return. I've stayed home since, and through dd2 born. Dd1 has now turned four.

What has this meant to my pension?
Can you still pay the Gov to top it back up? (Think you used to be able to)
What should I be aware of for future? (Reconsidering work and also whether to remain sahm longer til dd2 goes to nursery at 3)
I don't know where to look.

Thank you

I am married. Also wondering what I've 'done to myself' were we to split in future. Not that I'm planning to but I guess should know if there's any link...?

Make sure you claim Child Benefit, even if your DH then pays it back through self assessment because of his earnings

www.gov.uk/national-insurance-credits/eligibility

We tried. We were eligible prior to the (dreadful) changes. Now not.

Sorry, why claim if it's returned...? I don't understand

You can claim it anyway.

Then he declares it on his tax return and they claw it back.

That way you get the benefit of the NI credits as per that link.

Labyrinthine, I grant you, but it protects your pension.

I believe only until your oldest child is 12 (used to be 16, but Mr Blair silently changed it).

Pensions are the one thing I just put my head in the sand about, if DH dies young I will be very broke.

www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions
This might help.

As long as you are registered for cb you get credit for ni even if you opt out of receiving payments. It is also easier to swap back if your circumstances were to change.

I am registered. Defo. Checked again based on this as we were claiming then cancelled because of changes.