Issuing of National Insurance Number

Dear Sir or Madam,

It is my understanding that, I was 'issued' with a 'National
Insurance Number' on or around my 16th birthday. I was apparently
'registered automatically' for this number as my mother had been
claiming child benefit for me up to this point.

My questions are:

1. Does the acceptance by an individual of a unique 'NI number'
constitute a contract between that individual and 'the state?'
('the state' meaning the government and all its departments charged
with dealing with matters of National Insurance/pensions/Taxation).

A simple 'yes' or 'no' will be sufficient.

2. What is the minimum age at which an individual is legally deemed
capable of understanding, and agreeing to a life-long, binding
financial contract with any other party?

3. Are 15/16-year-olds currently issued with a statement of
disclosure explaining, in clear terms, exactly what are the
benefits and liabilities of accepting this 'National Insurance
Number', before they accept it? (i.e. a statement detailing pension
benefits/assumed taxation obligations.)

4. Do human beings of that age have the lawful right to simply
'refuse' the offer of this NI number, and make alternate, private
provisions for their pension etc?

I have been as clear and concise as possible in my questions and
have deliberately avoided using complicated language, or referring
to 'statutes' and other 'legalese' documentation.
I would be sincerely grateful if you would answer these questions
in a similar manner. Links to existing Government websites are also
of little use, as none of them seem to explain the legality or
lawfulness of this 'issuing' process for those born in the United
Kingdom. They simply state that 'it happens automatically'.

Yours faithfully,

Andrew: Smith