Find our what National Insurance is, why we pay it, and how to get hold of a National Insurance number if you don’t have one or have lost yours.
What is National Insurance?
National Insurance is an amount of money you pay when you’re working to help fund things like Maternity Leave, State Pensions and Jobseekers Allowance.
Why do I get a National Insurance Number?
This is to make sure you are paying the right amount and that your contributions are recorded. It makes sure you pay the amount you need to and don’t pay for someone else’s!
Who uses my National Insurance Number?
Your National Insurance number is usually needed, and used by:
- HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
- your employer
- Electoral Registration Officers (to check your identity when you register to vote)
- the Student Loan Company, if you apply for a student loan
- the Department for Work and Pensions, if you claim state benefits.
Where can I find my National Insurance Number?
You can find your National Insurance number
- on your payslip
- on your P60 (this is a form you get at the end of each tax year to show the amount of tax you’ve paid on your salary)
- on letters about your tax, pension or benefits
- in the National Insurance section of your personal tax account
You can check your personal tax account online. It let’s you see lots of useful things like your National Insurance Number, how much tax you’re paying, and information about your State Pension. You can also update your address and claim a tax refund. You can sign up on the HMRC website.
You should get your national insurance number sent to you in the post when you turn sixteen. If you don’t receive it, or can’t find it, you can contact HMRC.
How much National Insurance will I pay?
If you earn under £9,564 a year, or £797 a month, you don’t have to pay National Insurance. For anyone who earns more than this, except for state pensioners who are still working, you will have to pay National Insurance.
Your contribution will depend on how much money you earn and you can find the National Insurance rates for the current tax year on the gov.uk website.
Is National Insurance changing?
The UK Government has announced an extra tax for social care in England, services in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, and to help the NHS recover after the pandemic.
Employees, employers and the self-employed will all pay 1.25p more in the pound for National Insurance from April 2022.
However, from April 2023, National Insurance will return to its current rate, and the extra tax will be collected as a new Health and Social Care Levy.
A levy is an amount of money, such as a tax, that you have to pay to a government or organisation.