How long does a UK National Insurance number last?
If you already have a National Insurance number, you do not need to apply for a new one, even if your personal details change. Your National Insurance number remains the same for life.
Do I need to update my National Insurance number?
Your National Insurance number never changes even if you go abroad, marry, register as a civil partner, change your name, etc. Who uses your National Insurance number? It's very important you keep your number safe and don't give it to anyone who does not need it.
How do I find my old UK National Insurance number?
HMRC stopped issuing replacement National Insurance number cards in October 2010. Since then, if you ask for a reminder of your National Insurance number you get a letter confirming it instead. From July 2011, HMRC will stop issuing cards to adults.
Overview
You pay National Insurance contributions to qualify for certain benefits and the State Pension. You need a National Insurance number before you can...
Your National Insurance number
You have a National Insurance number to make sure your National Insurance contributions and tax are recorded against your name only. It’s made up o...
National Insurance classes
The class you pay depends on your employment status and how much you earn. National Insurance class Who pays Class 1 Employees earning more than £2...
How much you pay
The amount of National Insurance you pay depends on your employment status and how much you earn. You can see rates for past tax years. If you’re e...
What National Insurance is for
National Insurance contributions count towards the benefits and pensions in the table. Class 1: employees Class 2: self-employed Class 3: voluntary...
Help if you're not working
Your benefits could be affected if there are gaps in your National Insurance record. National Insurance credits can help to avoid gaps in your reco...