For the first time since the National Insurance programme started in 1974, the rate of contribution payments will be increased for employed persons. Beginning June 1, 2010, the rate will be increased by 1% – one half percent (.50%) to be paid by the employer, and one-half percent (.50) to be paid by the employee. This means that the current rate of 8.8%, shared 5.4% for employer and 3.4% for employee, will change to 9.8%, shared 5.9% for employer, and 3.9% for employee. This translates to a maximum weekly increase of $2 for the employer and $2 for the employee.

The increase was necessitated by the addition of Unemployment Benefit to the National Insurance benefits package; it will only impact Employed Persons - i.e., persons who have bosses. The rate of contributions for all other contributors - self-employed persons, voluntarily insured persons, and Summer students - will not change because contributions paid by them in these categories will not qualify them to receive Unemployment Benefit.

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