What is national insurance ?
National insurance is a tax on your earnings that goes into the National Insurance Fund which pays for various benefits. This guides covers some basic information about NIC.
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Age Rules: You pay national insurance contributions between the ages of 16 and state pension age on earnings but not pensions. After state pension age, even if you have a job you do not need to pay any more contributions.
Which Agency: National Insurance Contributions Office of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
Reviewed: August 2017