If you've lost your National Insurance number, you'll need to find it to make sure your income tax, National Insurance contributions and benefits are dealt with properly
The payment of National Insurance contributions entitles people to certain state benefits such as the state pension, maternity allowance and bereavement benefits. NICs are payable if you are:
- aged over 16;
- an employee earning more than £242 a week;
- self-employed with profits over £6,725.
Finding your National Insurance number is usually relatively straightforward. If you have never had one, you'll need to apply for a new National Insurance number.
If you live in the UK, you should automatically get a National Insurance (NI) number just before your 16th birthday. This unique reference number allows HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to keep records of your tax and National Insurance contributions. It also ensures that you get the benefits - including the state pension - that you are entitled to. You will need also need your NI number if you want to register as a sole trader for self assessment, apply for a student loan or open an ISA.
National Insurance contributions are payable for most people who work in the UK. An employer will want to know your NI number before you start a job, so that they can collect the right employee and employer National Insurance contributions, as well as income tax deductions.
How to find your National Insurance number
HM Revenue & Customs no longer issues plastic NI cards. If you have lost or forgotten your NI number, you can find it on your payslip, P60, or on any letters sent to you by HMRC relating to tax, pensions and benefits. You can also view it on your personal tax account (if you've registered for one) or by downloading the HMRC app.
You can use the HMRC app to check:
- your NI number
- your tax code
- your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) for Self Assessment
Download the app from the App Store (for iOS) or the Google Play Store (for Android).
If you cannot register for a personal tax account and you still can't find your NI number, you can:
- fill in and return form CA5403 to HMRC together with 2 identification documents
- phone the National Insurance numbers helpline on 0300 200 3500 or use the HMRC national insurance chat service
HMRC will not provide your National Insurance number over the phone – it will be posted to you.
How to get a new National Insurance number
If you are between 16 and 19 years old and didn't get an NI number when you turned 16, you can phone the National Insurance numbers helpline on 0300 200 3500.
If you're over 20 and you haven't got a NI number, you need to apply for a National Insurance number. You'll need to provide proof of identity, and it may then take up to 16 weeks to get the new National Insurance number. If you need help, call the National Insurance number application helpline on 0800 141 2079.
How to check your National Insurance record
For the most recent available information, the best place to check your national insurance record is online using your personal tax account if you have registered for this service. This will cover up to the start of the current tax year.
Or, you can request a National Insurance statement from the GOV.UK website for tax years that ended more than 12 months ago.
Both will tell you:
- what National Insurance payments or credits you have for the tax years requested;
- what class of contributions you made;
- if there are any payment or credit gaps (years with payment gaps may not count towards your State Pension);
- whether you can pay voluntary contributions to fill the gaps and how much it will cost.
However, neither tell you how much State Pension you're likely to get. You can check your State Pension forecast on the GOV.UK website.
You can also call the National Insurance helpline on 0300 200 3500 to request a statement.