National insurance contributions & rates
| Class 1 (not contracted out) | Employer | Employee |
| Lower earnings limit | £102 | |
| Payable on weekly earnings | ||
| £136.01 - £139 | 13.8% | Nil |
| £139.01 - £817 | 13.8% | 12% |
| Over £817 | 13.8% | 2% |
| Payable on monthly earnings | ||
| £589 - £602 | 13.8% | Nil |
| £602 - £3,540 | 13.8% | 12% |
| Over £3,540 | 13.8% | 2% |
| Men 65 and over and women from the date they qualify for state pension |
13.8% | Nil |
| Employees' contracted-out rebate | 1.6% | |
| Married women's reduced rate between £139 and £817 | 5.85% | |
| Employers' contracted-out rebate, salary-related schemes | 3.7% | |
| Employers' contracted-out rebate, money purchase schemes | 1.4% | |
| Class 1A (on relevant benefits) | 13.8% | Nil |
| Class 1B (on PAYE settlement arrangement) | 13.8% | |
| Class 2 (self employed) | £2.50 per week | |
| Class 2 contributions - share fishermen | £3.15 per week | |
| Class 2 contributions - volunteer development workers | £5.10 per week | |
| Limit of net earnings for exception | £5,315 per annum | |
| Contributions cease at state retirement age | ||
| Class 3 (voluntary) | £12.60 per week | |
| Class 4 (* Self employed on profits) | ||
| £7,225 to £42,475 | 9% | |
| Excess over £42,475 | 2% | |
| *Exemption applies if state retirement age was reached by 6 April 2011. | ||
| Maximum contributions | ||
| Class 1 or Class 1 & 2 | £4,230 + of earnings over £817 p.w. | |
| Class 2 and Class 4 | £3,310.30 + of profits over £42,475 a year | |
Notes
- For those earning between £139 per week and £817 per week, employers receive a rebate of 1.4% on contracted out money purchase schemes or 3.7% on contracted out final salary schemes, and employees, a rebate of 1.6% for either scheme.
- For children under 16, and employees over state pension age there are no national insurance contributions payable, but employers' contributions remain payable.
Did you know?
That the Government expect to receive £100.7bn from national insurance (2010/11 - £96.5bn)
