Martin Lewis poll reveals most want triple lock scrapped to fund social care

A Martin Lewis poll found 63.1 of respondents backed scrapping the state pension triple lock to help fund universal social care, with a sharp age divide.

Martin Lewis from Money Saving Expert <i>(Image: PA)</i>

(Image: PA)

Most people taking part in a Martin Lewis poll said they would support scrapping the state pension triple lock to help pay for universal social care.

The poll found 63.1% of respondents backed scrapping the triple lock, compared with 36.9% who said they would not.

But the results showed a striking age divide, with under-60s much more likely to support the move than respondents aged 60 and over.

Ahead of the announcement, Lewis asked: “Would you support scrapping State Pension triple lock (amount its guaranteed to rise by) to pay for universal social care?”

He stressed that it was a “vibe question”, adding that there are “many other routes, options & things money could go to”.

The results were:

Under 60: YES – 54.6%
Under 60: NO – 22.5%
Age 60+: YES – 8.5%
Age 60+: NO – 14.4%

Overall, the yes responses total 63.1%, compared with 36.9% voting no.

Today's Poll: Would you support scrapping State Pension triple lock (amount its guaranteed to rise by) to pay for universal social care?

NB. This is a vibe question. There are many other routes, options & things money could go to. Yet given a straight choice what's your view?

— Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) September 28, 2026

Most respondents backed scrapping the triple lock

The poll comes as the future of the state pension triple lock becomes a major issue in the debate over how to fund universal social care.

Among respondents aged under 60, more than twice as many backed scrapping the guarantee as rejected the idea.

The 54.6% who voted yes compared with 22.5% who voted no.

Among those aged 60 and over, however, the result went the other way.

A total of 14.4% said no to scrapping the triple lock, compared with 8.5% who supported the move.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivers his keynote address to the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool. (Image: Stefan Rousseau)

What does 'scrapping the triple lock' mean?

The triple lock currently guarantees that the state pension rises each April by whichever is highest of:

Average earnings growth
CPI inflation
2.5%

It means pensioners can benefit when wages rise particularly quickly, as well as receiving protection against high inflation.

Under plans announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, the existing triple lock would remain in place until 2030.

From April 2030, the earnings element would be removed. The state pension would instead continue to rise by inflation or a minimum of 2.5%.

The Government says the change would generate savings that could be used to build a National Care Service.

Users took to Mumsnet to share their views, with one poster saying: "I think, as an almost pensioner, that the Triple Lock is inherently unfair.

"Pensioners, all of those who receive state pension, receive an annual uplift at a minimum of 2.5%; the last one was 4.8%. Many, many, working people can only dream of an annual income rise of 4.8% ."

Another added: "Actually the people it will support are those whose only real asset is their house. Or people with little bit of savings. Who are trying to hold of people going into care because of a relatively small amount of savings.

"I know people who have been left in quite dangerous, neglectful situations because family knew money would run out and council were refusing to fund."

Could pensioners be better off overall?

That is one of the key questions behind the debate. Changing the triple lock could mean smaller state pension increases in some years.

But if universal social care means older people no longer have to meet care charges, some pensioners could potentially save substantially more on care than they lose through a lower pension increase.