Query re.claiming for grandchild

Hi. This may be outside of the remit of this forum, but I am considering claiming national insurance credit for looking after my grandson. Despite having paid 40 years NI premiums, because my pensions scheme contracted out of SERPS I have to pay for another 5 years or i won't qualify for full state pension. I am not working having taken my work pension at 55 due to ill health. I don't claim ESA or any other benefits but get PIP at standard rate care and enhanced mobility (currently under review) my husband claims carers allowance for me. I just wondered if it would cause an issue in future reviews or if DWP would actually even know if I did the claim? I think the NI is dealt with by HMRC. In any event our grandson just sleeps at ours one night a week and all i do is tell him a story so it's not onerous but I would rather pay the lump sum needed to make up my NI than cause problems with my PIP! Still cant believe I won't get a full state pension after working full time for nearly 40 years...........!

Thanks Gordon, i think I will just pay the lump sum for 5 years! If my PIP is ever stopped (sadly no reason it should be) then I would look at the rules again. I have worked out it would be worth doing despite the weekly premium. I’m glad I checked my state pension forecast or I wouldn’t have known.