National Insurance (NI) in the United Kingdom is a system of contributions paid by workers and employers to qualify for certain benefits. The national insurance scheme is administered by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
National Insurance Number
A National Insurance number (NINO) is a number unique to you which is used to keep track of your National Insurance contributions and the benefits which you are paid. The number is made up of two letters, six numbers and one letter, for example, AB 123456 C.
National Insurance Contribution (NIC) Classes & Rates
The class you pay depends on your employment status and how much you earn, and whether you have any gaps in your National Insurance record.
What National Insurance for
National Insurance contributions count towards the benefits and pensions in the table. Class 4 contributions paid by self-employed people don’t usually count towards state benefits.
| Benefits | Class 1: employees | Class 2: self-employed | Class 3: voluntary contribution |
| Basic State Pension | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Additional State Pension | Yes | No | No |
| New State Pension | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance | Yes | No | No |
| Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance | Yes | Yes | No |
| Maternity Allowance | Yes | Yes | No |
| Bereavement Support Payment | Yes | Yes | No |
More information you can find on GOV.UK website.
