What is the state pension triple lock and why does it matter?

Since 2010 the guarantee has caused the state pension to rise by a generous £1,100 a year

iain-duncan-smith-080413.jpg
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Any conversation or article about the state pension will mention the ‘triple lock’, but what is it and why is it becoming a political hot potato?

What is it?

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up