Quote Originally Posted by Eric Cartman View Post
I think it is still defined as a benefit by the government.

Most people won't have paid enough NI to cover even a few years of state pension, it is a ponzi that current working age people pay for.

Ironically the current pensioners were quite happy for the older generations (their parents and grandparents) to die in poverty and freeze to death when they were the ones contributing to the system rather than taking from it. Now the shoe is on the other foot and it's envy to suggest that if we are looking to target cuts then maybe the triple lock is something to take a second glance at
It is a benefit but subject to a minimum number of years contributions having being made. However, someone could have spent their entire life unemployed and still have qualified for the State Pension because the government will have made those contributions on the claimant's behalf.

Like someone pointed out elsewhere in the thread the UK's state pension provision is woefully short compared to European equivalent pensions. The introduction of the Triple Lock was an attempt to address pensioner poverty but it only serves to provide one huge chunk of pensioners with more than they'll ever need which means it ends up in the pockets of their offspring, while being grossly insufficient to meet the basic needs of the other great chunk of pensioners. It's a blunt instrument which is unsustainable for much longer.