{"id":24906,"date":"2023-02-20T07:18:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-20T07:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/transfergo.wpengine.com\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-uk-national-insurance\/"},"modified":"2025-01-06T16:29:58","modified_gmt":"2025-01-06T16:29:58","slug":"everything-you-need-to-know-about-uk-national-insurance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.wpvip.tgalpha.com\/gb\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-uk-national-insurance","title":{"rendered":"Everything you need to know about UK National Insurance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re living and working in the UK, you\u2019ll likely have noticed National Insurance contributions (NICs) coming out of your paycheck. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what are National Insurance payments? What do they pay for? And how do you even apply for an NI number?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, our brief guide to National Insurance is here to help.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is National Insurance?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

National Insurance is a state tax on your earnings and\/or self-employed profits. Like income tax, all contributions are paid into a fund to help pay for certain state benefits when individuals need help. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the UK, you will be charged NICs once you turn 16 and your earned income reaches a certain level. At the moment, this is \u00a3190 a week if you are an employee. For self-employed individuals, profits need to be over \u00a311,908 a year. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You must have a National Insurance number before you start paying National Insurance. If you work in the UK, you\u2019re liable to start paying NICs as soon as you start working for your employer. <\/span>You cannot work in the UK before applying for a National Insurance number.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And once you reach the State Pension age, you don\u2019t need to pay NICs at all. Happy days!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you apply for a National Insurance number?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re a migrant in the UK, you should be allocated a National Insurance number on your biometric residence permit. If you aren\u2019t allocated one this way, you should apply for it as soon as you’re in the UK. This can be done by calling the National Insurance helpline number on 0800 141 2075.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

UK nationals should have received their NI number and card automatically in the run up to their 16th birthday. If you’re a UK national under the age of 20 and you didn\u2019t receive your NI number, you should call the helpline on 0300 200 3500. If you\u2019re over 20 years old, you should contact the National Insurance application line on 0800 141 2075. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will need ID and may need to attend an interview in order to obtain your National Insurance number. The office is open Monday to Friday.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You cannot work in the UK before applying for a National Insurance number. Once you\u2019ve applied for it, you can legally work so long as you can prove your right to work in the UK. Once your National Insurance number arrives, you should then make sure that your employer updates their records.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the types of NI? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are six different \u2018classes\u2019 of National Insurance contributions, and the type you pay depends on your circumstances. The types of National Insurance are as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n