National Insurance Calculator (2025/26)
Work out your employee or self-employed National Insurance for 2025/26 — and see the Green plan that would raise it for higher earners.
Your earnings
How National Insurance works in 2025/26
National Insurance is a second tax on earnings (not on pensions, savings or property income). Employees pay 8% between £12,570 and £50,270 and 2% above; the self-employed pay 6% and 2% on profits. Employers separately pay 15% above £5,000 per employee — a cost you never see but which economists say mostly comes out of wages. Paying NI (or receiving credits) builds the 35 qualifying years you need for the full state pension.
What each party would change
- Greens — full-rate NI above £50,270: the 2% rate becomes 8%, costing someone on £70,000 about £1,184 a year.
- Conservatives — First Job Bonus: under-30s' first £5,000 of NI goes toward a first-home deposit.
- Reform UK — focuses its cuts on income tax instead; see the £20,000 allowance.
Frequently asked questions
How much National Insurance will I pay in 2025/26?
Employees pay 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270 and 2% above that. On a £35,000 salary that's about £1,794 a year. The self-employed pay 6% and 2% on profits (Class 4). Enter your figure in the calculator for your exact amount.
Do the self-employed pay less National Insurance?
Yes. Class 4 rates are 6% between £12,570 and £50,270 (versus 8% for employees) and Class 2 has been abolished as a charge — profits over £6,845 earn state-pension credits automatically, and those below can pay £3.50 a week voluntarily.
Which party would change National Insurance?
The Greens would charge the full 8% rate on all earnings above £50,270 (instead of 2%), raising tax for higher earners. The Conservatives' First Job Bonus would redirect young workers' first £5,000 of NI into a home-deposit fund. Labour has pledged not to raise the NI rate on employees.
Does National Insurance pay for my state pension?
Partly — NI receipts fund contributory benefits including the state pension, and you need 35 qualifying years for the full new state pension. But in practice NI works like a second income tax: there is no personal pot with your name on it.