For some reason people associate the word 'basic' with 'universal' and assume that everyone is entitled to the full-rate basic state pension when they achieve whatever retirement age is relevant for them to be entitled to payment.

BBC: Fergus Muirhead

Spending on pensioners, which takes up 40% of the social-security budget, is likely to go up, not down: the government has promised to keep the basic pension, pay more to poorer pensioners, and encourage more people to save for retirement.

ECONOMIST: Public spending