State Pension eligibility for a housewife

[Khurram]

Hi,

This request for advice pertains to my wife's pension status.

We moved abroad from UK in 2007. I had been working with a multinational company and was regularly making my National Insurance contributions. Being well settled with a decent job, I started making Voluntary Class 2 NI contributions and my qualifying years have been building up since.

Now as for my wife, she's never worked in the UK and got her NI number once we were blessed with our first born and were eligible for Child Benefit. Would it be possible to find out if she also has an option of making voluntary NI contributions for building up her own State Pension. Not sure about this but don't think she has any qualifying years on her record.

Regards.
Khurram

[JB007]

Child Benefit gives a credit towards a state pension, for a limited amount of years. 12? maximum.
https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit

She can see how many years towards a UK state pension she has, here-
https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension

The easiest way to pay towards a state pension, is to work and pay NICs.

She should be looking at getting a private pension too, even though she is a stay at home mother. It will be limited but the government will contribute too. Your wife should seek financial advice.

[seagul]

Would it be possible to find out if she also has an option of making voluntary NI contributions for building up her own State Pension. Not sure about this but don't think she has any qualifying years on her record.

Regards.
Khurram

https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-i ... tributions