People are encouraged to check if they can increase their state pension as the average payout is currently more than £725 a year below the full amount.

DWP figures show the average full state pension payout is £209.49 a week for men while women get on average £205 a week.

Using an average between these two amounts, of £207.25 a week, this is £13.95 a week below the full new state pension of £221.20, a shortfall of £725.40 a year.

You typically need 35 years of National Insurance (NI)…