National Insurance contributions are collected on income from employment or self-employment. They are not paid on payments from a pension.
What’s in this guide
Pensions and National Insurance
You don’t pay National Insurance contributions on any payments you get from a pension scheme including guaranteed income from an annuity. But you might have to pay Income Tax on these payments.
If you’re below State Pension age, you must pay National Insurance contributions on your income from employment or self-employment (provided that you earn above the minimum amount on which National Insurance contributions are charged).
When you reach State Pension age, you stop paying National Insurance contributions. Although, if you’re self-employed, you’re still assessed for Class 4 National Insurance contributions in the tax year in which you reach State Pension age.
To stop paying National Insurance contributions when you reach State Pension age, you can show your employer proof of age (such as a birth certificate or a passport). Or you can ask HMRC to send your employer a letter.
If you’ve paid National Insurance contributions when you are no longer liable to these, you can claim back the overpaid amounts from HMRC.
Got questions about how your pension can be paid?
If you need help making sense of how and when you can access your pension pot, you can speak to someone from Pension Wise, a free service from MoneyHelper.
