# Tories would have to raise state pension age above 70 to keep triple lock, says minister

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/tories-would-have-to-raise-state-pension-age-above-70-to-keep-triple-lock-says-minister/
- Published: 2026-11-11T07:29:40+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-11T08:09:36+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/nov/11/tories-raise-state-pension-age-70-triple-lock-torsten-bell
- Topics: Business, Government, Politics

## Key points

- Bell says keeping the triple lock could push the pension age above 70.
- The current policy is estimated to cost £50bn by 2050.
- Labour plans to change how pension rises are calculated.

## Summary

Treasury minister Torsten Bell says the Conservatives would have to raise the state pension age beyond 70 to afford their pledge to keep the triple lock. He argues that opposing changes to the policy while declining to explain how to fund it leaves voters without a clear account of the trade-offs.

The triple lock currently raises pensions each year by whichever is highest: inflation, 2.5% or earnings growth. Labour plans to change it so pensions rise by the highest of inflation or 2.5%, with earnings growth applying only if pension values fall behind wages; the initial savings are intended for a national care service. Government estimates put the cost of leaving the current system unchanged at £50bn by 2050, while the state pension age is already expected to reach 68 between 2044 and 2046.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.