National insurance advice

[Spannersaurus]

Hi, I'm looking for some advice re national insurance contributions.

I was made redundant towards the end of last year. I am looking for work, but do not want to sign on at the moment, but I'm worried about my lack of national insurance contributions affecting my state pension. I did read somewhere that if you are in receipt of child benefit that your national insurance contributions are 'maintained' for you in some way, but I have no idea if this is the case, or how it works.

Can anyone advise me if there is a way I can make NI contributions while I'm not working?

Thanks!

Why don't you want to sign on. If you are looking for work signing should help.

Your contributions are only maintained whilst your youngest child is 11 or under I think these days. Used to be 16.

Gfplux, just a personal preference I suppose. I may have to claim at some point if I'm not successful in my job hunt soon.

Thanks EarSlaps - my DS is 4. Do you know how it works - do I have to notify someone that I'm not working at the moment?

Thanks again.

As far as I know it should apply automatically as long as you register for CB.

I no longer receive it due to dh's income but am still registered so getting my stamp. You need to give your ni no when you register iirc.

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

TBH the state pension is heading towards being such a poxy amount I'd not fuss that much

Hello spanner,
The reason I ask is because when my mother became a widow he pension was a few pounds a week less because my Father had been too proud to sign on when out of work for a couple of years, mid career. Something to do with incomplete stamps.

I agree with TiP too- I worked abroad for a few years so no stamp but I put the money in a private pension instead.

If you claim CB for a child under 13 you automatically receive NI contributions.

Google 'home responsibilities protection' - for each year you claim CB, the number of years you need to pay NI to qualify for your state pension reduces by the same amount.

Thanks all!