Missed NI contributions and the new 30 year rule

[Gordon Brown]

I have missed the last 3 or 4 years of NI contributions due to the small company share dividends thing.

I now have the annual letter saying that I was £362 short last year.

I notice that you now only have to contribute for 30 years to get the full state pension. As I am at 27 years of full contributions, is it correct, that should I pay the £1200 backdated missed NI's for the past 3 years I would get the full 30 year state pension and not have to pay anything again?

Is that a good deal or is the money best put in a savings account because there will be no stste pension at all by then??

Mrs Brown has 5 to make up to hit the 30 (so about £1800).

Can you stop paying at 30 years or does the PAYE NI take it anyway on the swings and roundabouts principle of British taxation?

Is a state pension worth having anyway?