Brits could still see their state pension rise to £185 a week despite fears the triple lock promise will be scrapped, according to reports.
The Tory manifesto pledge means the state pension increases each year based on which is the highest out of wages, inflation or 2.5%.
At the moment, pensioners look set for a record rise following a huge 8.8% jump in average earnings, caused by a knock-on effect of people coming off furlough and businesses reopening.
Experts say state pensioners could be in line for a boost of around £822 per person, if the triple lock is kept in place and wage growth remains strong.
However, there are fears Chancellor Rishi Sunak could suspend or end the manifesto promise as estimates suggest it could cost the Exchequer more than £8billion.
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The Times reports how the government could scrap it for one year and implement a rise of 3% instead.
Those claiming the full state pension of £179.60 a week would see their payment rise by £5.40 a week, taking their total amount to £185.
This is in comparison to an increase of £15.80, which is what pensions would get if the increase is in accordance with wages.
Someone getting the old basic state pension of £137.60 a week would get £4.15 more, giving them £141.75 a week.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) hasn't confirmed if there will be changes to the triple lock.
The government normally uses the earnings growth figure published in September to determine how much the state pension will go up by.
A government spokesperson told The Mirror: “The government will confirm next year’s state pension rates in the Autumn”.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, previously said there was a “copper-bottomed argument for keeping the triple lock now and far into the future”.
She continued: “It is not surprising that some policymakers are arguing for a different approach on a one-off basis.
“However, it’s asking a lot for older people to believe that any scaling back of the triple lock would only be temporary, rather than permanent.”
Meanwhile, experts at pension consultants LCP have said the triple lock could be applied over two years rather than one to give similar increases.
Steve Webb, partner at LCP, said: “Average earnings are well above their level a year ago, partly because some furloughed workers are back on full pay and also because some lower paid jobs have been lost altogether.
“These figures pile pressure on the Chancellor as he will want to stick to his triple lock policy but not pay a huge increase to pensioners, especially at a time when many working age benefits are about to be cut by £20 per week.“
The triple lock was introduced by former Tory Prime Minister David Cameron back in 2010.
