State pension increases and why we need the ‘triple lock’

The briefing outlines how the State Pension has been uprated over time and argues that protecting the ‘triple lock’ is essential for both current and future pensioners. Past policy changes have significantly reduced the pension’s value, and the triple lock has only partially reversed this decline. 

UNISON argues that weakening or removing the ‘triple lock’ – which increases the state pension to the highest of a) national average earnings, b) cost of living, or c) 2.5% – would push it back into long‑term decline, harming younger generations who will rely on it more due to the fall of defined benefit pensions and low auto‑enrolment contributions. 

The briefing concludes that maintaining the ‘triple lock’ is vital to prevent future pensioner poverty and ensure a stable, adequate retirement income.