Pensioners may need a total of 35 years of NI contributions in order to get the full state pension, and they will usually need 10 years’ worth to get any money at all.

The more years of contributions someone has on their NI record, the more state pension they will be entitled to.

Usually, NI contributions are paid by people through working, but it is possible to fill any gaps in an NI record by receiving credits, which are available to people who claim certain benefits, or by paying voluntary contributions.

Britons can use the forecast tool to discover how to increase their state pension entitlement, if they can.

The state pension age is currently 66 for men and women, but this is set to change in the future.