The charity stated: “For example, you can get National Insurance credits when you’re claiming Employment and Support Allowance or Jobseeker’s Allowance, or if you have caring responsibilities.

“Your record can also include voluntary contributions that you choose to pay to cover gaps when you are not working or getting credits.

“When you reach state pension age, you can claim a state pension if you’ve paid or been credited with enough National Insurance contributions during your working life.

“What you get depends on how many ‘qualifying years’ of National Insurance contributions you have.