אתר ביטוח לאומי is a system of payments and tax deductions which can be used to protect your state pension and other benefits. You can check the status of your policy and even renew it online.
Employee contributions are recorded on a weekly basis and self-employed individuals pay Class 2 and Class 4 NICs on their earnings above a threshold. You can also make voluntary contributions to close gaps in your record.
Information about National Insurance
National Insurance (NI) is a system of contributions paid by employed and self-employed people to fund state benefits. The UK system is similar to the FICA system in the United States, which funds Social Security and Medicare. Contributions are based on an individual’s earnings. People who do not work may be eligible for credits to fill gaps in their NI record.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) administers National Insurance payments. It is a tax, and it is the largest of all taxes collected by the UK government. It is also one of the most important taxes in the country because it helps pay for a wide range of state benefits, including unemployment insurance and pensions.
Employees and employers both contribute a percentage of their salary to NI. This money is credited to an individual’s NI account, which determines eligibility for certain state benefits. Individuals can also make voluntary contributions to NI, although these do not count towards the required 35 years of contributions for a full new State Pension.
If a person does not pay the correct amount of NI, HMRC will usually contact them to explain why and how to rectify the problem. The letter will usually include information about any penalties that may apply. If you need to contact a member of staff, the helpline is open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Online renewal
If you are a National Insurance policyholder, you can renew your car or bike insurance online. You can also include add-on covers at the time of renewal. You can also make payment by credit card or debit card. The website provides a secure and safe payment environment. Alternatively, you can visit any of the branches of National Insurance and pay the premium in person.
You can use a National Insurance calculator to find out how much your premium will be for the next year. This way, you can make an informed decision on whether to buy a new or renew your current policy. You can also use this tool to compare National Insurance policies with other companies.
National Insurance is a government-run organisation that deals with taxation, pensions and benefits. You can get a National Insurance number on request, but you need to prove your identity and your right to work in the UK before receiving one. Your National Insurance number will tell the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) how much tax you’ve paid, what your entitlements are and where there are gaps in your contributions.
If you are an existing National Insurance policyholder, you can renew your insurance policy online by visiting the NIC website and clicking on ‘Quick Renewal’. You will need to enter your existing policy number and captcha answer to proceed with the process. Once the process is complete, you will receive an instant e-policy, which can be printed or saved for future reference.
Changes in National Insurance
The UK’s second largest tax, national insurance (NIC) is payable on all earnings above a certain threshold. It helps pay for state benefits when people are unemployed, sick or in retirement. It also contributes to the State pension, and is deducted from employee’s salaries by their employers.
In his Spring Statement, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that the NI threshold would rise to PS12,570 from July 6th 2022. This meant 2.2 million workers would be lifted out of paying NIC altogether, while those who earn above that level will see their tax bills reduce by around PS330 a year on average.
However, in September he rescinded the 1.25% increase in NIC rates that came into effect in April, and the health and social care levy will be scrapped from 6 November 2022. This means 920,000 small businesses will save around PS10,000 a year next year thanks to the reversal of the NIC rise and it’s expected that many of them will pass this savings on to their employees.
If you’re a business owner, it’s worth checking that your payroll software is updated to reflect the change and that you have spoken to your team about what this means for them. If you have a large team, it could be worth considering how you might support them in the light of this change.
Contacting National Insurance
If you’re not sure how to contact HM Revenue and Customs about a National Insurance issue, you can call the helpline on 0845 915 0900 (calls cost £1.75 per minute, plus network operator charges). You’ll need to know your NI number, which is usually in the format of two letters and six digits. You’ll find your NI number on payslips, P60, tax returns and official letters about taxes, pensions or benefits. You’ll also be able to check your NI details through your personal tax account (external link).
You pay NIC depending on how much you earn and whether you’re an employee, self-employed or unemployed. You may have gaps in your NIC contributions record, which can affect your State Pension. You can fill these gaps with voluntary NIC payments, but they won’t always increase your State Pension.
You can also call the NI helpline if you’re not sure whether your payments have reached HM Revenue and Customs. You’ll need to provide your NI number and the details of any other work or self-employment you’ve done. The NI helpline is open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 5pm on Saturdays. You can also contact HM Revenue and Customs by email or post. It’s best to write if you can, as this will be a record of what you’ve said.