I think the £300 pm probably includes Nat' Ins'
Do you mean a "contracted out" scheme?
they fell into disrepute (mostly due to high charges) and I think are no longer used. I understand the facility ended on 6 April 2016.
They also reduce your "basic state pension" by 1/35th for every year you were contracted out (about £5 a week is deducted from the pension payment for each "contracted out" year).