NI (National Insurance number)
On your payslip you will see NI (employ)’ers and NI (employ)’ees contributions in the deductions column for each pay period.
National Insurance (NI) is used to pay for: the NHS, Unemployment benefit, Sickness and disability allowances and the state pension.
NI is deducted in a similar way as the tax but the threshold and percentage rate is different.
There are tables for different categories here but most people will fall within category A which is 12% above the Primary Threshold (PT) and up to Upper Earnings Limit (UEL) which for the year 2018-2019 are:
Primary Threshold (PT) Upper Earnings Limit (UEL)
£162 per week £892 per week
£702 per month £3,863 per month
£8,424 per year £46,350 per year
On earnings above the Upper Earnings Limit (UEL) you will pay 2% on NI contributions.
Find it online
You can check your number using your online here. When you go online you’ll be asked some questions to start with, to confirm who you are. Don’t worry if you can’t get into it on your first attempt, you can try again later. Once you’re in you can view, share or print a copy of your NI number confirmation letter.