If you work in the UK, chances are you’ve noticed changes to your National Insurance (NI) contributions over the years. The 2025/26 tax year brings another shift in NI rates—and it’s worth understanding how that affects your take-home pay.

What Changed in 2025?

From April 2025:

• Primary NI threshold remains at £12,570 (the income level where NI starts).
• Main NI rate for employees increased from 8% to 9% on income between £12,570 and £50,270.
• The 2% rate on income above £50,270 remains unchanged.

This means more of your earnings between those thresholds go toward NI, leaving slightly less in your pocket.

Real-World Examples

Let’s compare the impact of the NI increase on different salaries, assuming standard tax codes and no pension contributions:

Salary: £30,000

• NI Before (8%): ~£1,397.60
• NI After (9%): ~£1,572.30
• Difference: £174.70 annually (~£14.56/month)

Salary: £45,000

• NI Before: ~£2,602.40
• NI After: ~£2,927.70
• Difference: £325.30 annually (~£27.11/month)

Salary: £60,000

• NI Before: ~£3,914.40
• NI After: ~£4,239.70
• Difference: £325.30 (only affected on the first £50,270)

Who Does It Affect the Most?

The increase most significantly impacts:

• Middle-income earners (£20k–£50k)
• Those not in salary sacrifice pension schemes
• Employees without additional deductions or allowances

Higher earners are impacted on a flat amount, while lower earners below £12,570 see no change.

How to Offset the Impact

• Increase pension contributions: Salary sacrifice reduces NI and tax liability.
• Check your tax code: Make sure HMRC has assigned the correct one.
• Review benefits: Some workplace benefits may offer NI efficiency.

Use the Calculator

Try our UK Salary Calculator to see how the 2025 NI change affects your personal circumstances.

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Bottom Line: The NI rise in 2025 trims take-home pay slightly for many UK employees. While the change isn’t huge, it’s noticeable, and understanding it can help you plan better and even find ways to reduce your liability.