National Insurance Calculator UK — Calculate Your NI Payments
Calculate your National Insurance contributions for 2026-27 tax year. Find out how much NI you pay on your salary and what State Pension entitlement you are building.
National Insurance is a tax on earnings that funds the State Pension NHS and other benefits. If you are employed you pay Class 1 NI on earnings above £12570 per year at 8% up to £50270 and 2% above that threshold. Understanding your NI contributions is important because you need 35 qualifying years to receive the full New State Pension. Our calculator shows your exact monthly and annual NI payments and tracks your progress toward State Pension qualification.
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Key Information
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Class 1 Employee Rate | 8% (£12570 - £50270) |
| Upper Rate | 2% (above £50270) |
| Self-Employed Class 4 | 6% (£12570 - £50270) |
| Years Needed for Full Pension | 35 qualifying years |
Calculate your NI contributions
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Use Calculator NowFrequently Asked Questions
How much National Insurance do I pay on £30000?
On an annual salary of £30000 you pay National Insurance on earnings above the primary threshold of £12570. That means NI on £17430 at 8% which equals approximately £1394 per year or £116 per month. Your employer also pays 13.8% on your earnings above £9100 but that does not come out of your pay packet.
Do I pay NI after State Pension age?
No you stop paying National Insurance when you reach State Pension age currently 66 rising to 67 by 2028. Even if you continue working after State Pension age you are exempt from employee NI contributions. However your employer still pays their share of employer NI on your earnings. This makes hiring older workers slightly more expensive for employers.
Can I fill gaps in my NI record?
Yes you can make voluntary Class 3 NI contributions to fill gaps in your record at £17.45 per week. This can be worth doing if you are short of the 35 qualifying years needed for the full State Pension of £221.20 per week. Each qualifying year adds about £6.32 per week to your State Pension making voluntary contributions one of the best returns on investment available.
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Last updated: 24 March 2026