•Entitlement to contributory benefits, and sometimes the amount paid, depends on your national insurance (NI) contribution record. For some benefits, it depends on the contribution record of your spouse or civil partner, or your late spouse or civil partner.

•If you are employed or self-employed, you may be liable to pay NI contributions. If you are not liable to pay contributions, in some circumstances you can be awarded NI ‘credits’, or you may be able to pay contributions voluntarily.

•There are different types of NI contributions (called ‘classes’). Not all classes of NI contributions or all types of NI credits count for all contributory benefits.

•NI contributions are collected by HM Revenue and Customs.