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Get startedNational Insurance rates and contributions
How much national insurance you pay depends on whether you're an employee or
self-employed, as well as your age and retirement status
What is National Insurance?
National Insurance (NI) is a tax on earnings and self-employed profits.
Your National Insurance contributions (NICs) are paid into a fund, from which some state benefits are paid.
This includes the state pension, statutory sick pay or maternity leave, or entitlement to additional unemployment benefits.
Who pays National Insurance?
National Insurance has to be paid by both employed and self-employed workers from 16 until they reach state pension age (currently 66).
In some situations, you will be exempt from paying National Insurance contributions. For example, if you earn below £12,570, are unemployed, or receiving benefits.
If you don't have to pay National Insurance you might be eligible for National Insurance credits, or you can choose to make voluntary contributions. Both help you build up 'qualifying years', which count towards your entitlement for the state pension, and other benefits.
- Find out more: National Insurance, benefits and state pension
National Insurance classes and rates 2025-26
The amount of National Insurance you pay depends on whether you are employed or self-employed and what you earn. These categories are known as 'classes'.
National Insurance is worked out in a similar way to income tax and is calculated on gross earnings (before tax or pension deductions) or profits (earnings minus allowable expenses) above a threshold.
In the table below, we explain the different National Insurance classes, the rates that apply to these classes, who needs to pay what in 2025-26, and how payment is collected.
| National Insurance classes | National Insurance rates 2025-26 | Who pays? | How you pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | 8% on earnings over £12,570, and 2% on earnings over £50,270 | Employees | PAYE |
| Class 2 | n/a | Self-employed | Self-assessment |
Class 4 | 6% on profits over £12,570 and 2% on profits over £50,270 | Self-employed | Self-assessment |
| Class 3 | £17.75 a week | Voluntary contributions made by those with gaps in their NI record | Paid to HMRC via form CF83 |
Personal National Insurance thresholds are due to remain the same until the 2028-29 tax year. From April 2028, they will increase in line with inflation.
If you're employed, National Insurance is automatically deducted from your monthly pay.
If you're self-employed, you'll need to organise these contributions yourself, usually through your self-assessment tax return.
- Find out more: how to file a self-assessment tax return – this comprehensive guide explains which taxes you are likely to have to pay.
National Insurance rates if you're employed
Your employer will deduct Class 1 National Insurance contributions from your:
- salary
- commission or bonuses
- overtime
- sick pay
- maternity, paternity and adoption pay.
NI is collected via PAYE together with your income tax.
In 2025-26, employees pay 8% Class 1 National Insurance on earnings over £12,570, and 2% on earnings over £50,270.
Employees who earn between £6,396 (the NIC lower earnings limit) and £12,570 a year don't need to pay National Insurance, but still get the benefits of paying (such as building up the state pension). Anyone that earns below the NIC lower earnings limit can opt to pay voluntary Class 3 contributions.
Note that because NI is calculated monthly (if you're paid monthly), you could end up paying more on irregular income such as bonuses.
National Insurance rates if you're self-employed
If you're self-employed, you pay Class 4 National Insurance at 6% on profits between £12,570 and £50,270, and 2% on profits over £50,270.
Until the end of the 2023-24 tax year, self-employed people earning more than the minimum threshold of £12,570 also had to pay a Class 2 National Insurance contributions (at a flat, weekly rate). As of April 2024, self-employed people are no longer required to pay Class 2 National Insurance.
If your profits are more than £6,845 a year, Class 2 contributions are treated as having been paid to protect your National Insurance record. If your profits are less than £6,845, this does not apply; you still don't have to pay anything, but you can choose to pay voluntary Class 2 contributions. You may wish to do this if gaps in your National Insurance record would affect your state pension entitlement, or mean you don't qualify for certain benefits, such as maternity allowance.
- Find out more: self-employed income tax, National Insurance and VAT
National Insurance calculator
Use our National Insurance calculator to discover how much you'll pay.
You can also see what you would owe for previous years, based on your income - simply select the tax year you want to see from the dropdown menu.
To find out your total bill for 2022-23 you will need to check the amount owed between 6 April and 5 July, between 6 July and 5 November, and between 6 November and 5 April and add the three figures together.
Please note the figures shown indicate what you'd owe on an annual basis, and assume you've worked for the full tax year.
The calculator makes standard assumptions about employed and self-employed people to estimate your tax breakdown. So bear in mind that what you will take home also depends on other factors such as your pension contributions and student loan repayments - and can vary depending on your tax code.
- Tackle your 2024-25 tax return with the tax calculator service from GoSimpleTax. It can help you to tot up your tax bill, get tips on where to save and submit your return directly to HMRC.
Class 3 Voluntary National Insurance
If you're missing any National Insurance contributions, you may be able to fill in gaps by paying Class 3 'voluntary' contributions.
You can pay voluntary contributions if at least one of the below apply:
- you're employed but your earnings are below the NIC lower earnings limit (£6,396 for 2025-26)
- you're unemployed and not claiming benefits
- you're self-employed but your profits aren't enough for you to automatically pay National Insurance
- you receive National Insurance credits for less than a full tax year
- you live abroad.
In 2025-26, Class 3 contributions cost £17.75 a week, up from £17.45 in 2024-25.
- Find out more: can I top up my state pension? - our expert guide explains how to make voluntary National Insurance contributions.
National Insurance FAQs
What is my National Insurance number?
Your National Insurance number contains two letters, six numbers and a final letter.
Each number is unique - they are used to identify you so the government knows how much tax you have paid, how much state pension you might be owed, and to track your tax allowances.
Each person is only assigned one National Insurance number and you'll use the same one throughout your life.
How do I apply for a NI number?
If you are a UK national, you should receive an NI number automatically before you turn 16.
If you didn't, and are aged 16-19, you can contact HMRC if your parent or guardian filled in a child benefit claim for you, as you may already have a National Insurance number.
If you are moving to the UK, you may have a National Insurance number allocated on your biometric residence permit. If not, you must apply once you are in the UK by calling the helpline number on 0800 141 2075.
Can I work without an NI number?
You need to apply for an NI number before you start work in the UK.
However, you can start working before your National Insurance number arrives if you can prove your right to work in the UK - for example, by showing your visa.
When you receive your NI number, make sure your employer updates their records.
Can I check my National Insurance record?
It's important to keep track of how much you've paid into National Insurance, and whether there are any gaps or credits.
You can check your National Insurance record online via the government portal.
Alternatively, you can request a paper copy of your National Insurance Statement to be mailed to you by writing to:
National Insurance contributions and Employers Office
HM Revenue and Customs
BX9 1AN
What happens if I give the wrong NI number?
If you accidentally provide the wrong NI number, HMRC may not be able to match your contributions to your records.
Generally, HMRC staff will attempt to match erroneous NI numbers with the right person based on other information provided.
As a first step, check your National Insurance record to see if there are gaps where contributions or credits have not been counted. If so, talk to your employer and ask for your records to be corrected.
Otherwise, contact HMRC on 0300 200 3500 about the error. You may be asked to show proof of your employment, like P60s or payslips.
Do students have to pay National Insurance contributions (NICs)?
You don't start paying National Insurance until you're over 16 years old. Students who are older than this are not exempt; if they earn enough, they pay like any other worker.
If students don't do paid work, they're not credited with NICs for the years they are studying.
This creates a gap in their contributions record, although most will still work for enough years after qualifying to merit a full state pension.
Do I have to pay National Insurance when I retire?
Your National Insurance contributions depend on your employment status, how much you earn, and your age and retirement status.
When you reach state pension age you no longer have to pay National Insurance contributions, even if you continue working. Employees will stop paying NI contributions as soon as they reach state pension age, which for most people will be 66.
If you continue working after state pension age you'll need to prove your age to your employer to stop NI contributions, either by producing a birth certificate or passport. Contact HM Revenue and Customs if you're unable or unwilling to provide these documents.
If you reach state pension age and you're self-employed, the rules are slightly different. Self-employed workers will need to keep paying National Insurance until the end of the tax year in which they reach state pension age.
Self-employed workers should tick the relevant box on the self-assessment tax return to claim exemption from Class 4 National Insurance contributions (NICs).
I've taken early retirement, do I pay National Insurance on my pension?
National Insurance contributions are only charged on income from employment or self-employment.
If you have a private or company pension and it's your only form of income, you won't pay National Insurance on it.
Similarly, you don't pay National Insurance on savings or investment income.
However, by no longer paying National Insurance, you risk not building enough contributions to get the full state pension and may need to buy voluntary contributions to get the full amount.
- Find out more: how to top up your state pension
What was the 'married woman's stamp'?
Until 1977, married women could opt to make National Insurance contributions at a reduced rate. They stopped building up entitlement to state pension in their own right and instead relied on their husband's National Insurance contributions record.
This was known as the 'married woman's stamp'.
Women who took this option can continue to make reduced National Insurance contributions or pay at the full rate and build up individual pension entitlement. With reduced contributions, their maximum entitlement is currently 60% of basic state pension.
Since 2016, any women in this position who have yet to reach state pension age will no longer be eligible. Their pension entitlement will depend instead on the number of qualifying years' National Insurance contributions they have made in their own right. The minimum required to get any state pension is 10 years.
- Find out more: how much state pension will I get?