Readers' forum : Free state pension?

My partner (we are not married) has minimal taxable income and will reach state pension age in just over ten years. She is neither employed nor self-employed but has a National Insurance number. I contribute to her personal pension at the maximum allowed of 2 880 net (£3 600 gross). She has no entitlement to the state pension and I note that class 3 voluntary contributions could be made at £14.10 a week for 2015/16 and 2016/17.

As an employee entitlement to the state pension is accrued when taxable pay reaches the lower earnings limit (currently £112 a week) but no National Insurance is payable until the higher payment thresholds are reached. I do not have my own business but could I employ my partner as a domestic servant on wages equal to the lower earnings limit and at the national living wage rate? I understand that...