SE76002 – Types of Social Security benefits

Terms used to describe different types of Social Security benefits

National Insurance

Most people between 16 and State pension age (60 for women and 65 for men) pay contributions into the National Insurance scheme. These contributions enable individuals to claim National Insurance benefits such as retirement pension.

There is a brief explanation of the four classes of National Insurance contributions at Appendix 3 in EP.

Contributory benefits

These are the benefits in the Social Security system which depend on the payment of National Insurance contributions, for example retirement pension.

Non- contributory benefits

These are Social Security benefits which do not depend on the payment of National Insurance contributions, for example child benefit and invalid care allowance

Means – tested benefits

These are benefits where the amount payable depends on the needs and other income of the claimant. Income support is a means-tested benefit.