Social Security (Jersey) Law 1974: Pension Age Amendments

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

A formal published “Ministerial Decision” is required as a record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

Ministers are elected by the States Assembly and have legal responsibilities and powers as “corporation sole” under the States of Jersey Law 2005 by virtue of their office and in their areas of responsibility, including entering into agreements, and under any legislation conferring on them powers.

An accurate record of “Ministerial Decisions” is vital to effective governance, including:

demonstrating that good governance, and clear lines of accountability and authority, are in place around decisions-making – including the reasons and basis on which a decision is made, and the action required to implement a decision
providing a record of decisions and actions that will be available for examination by States Members, and Panels and Committees of the States Assembly; the public, organisations, and the media; and as a historical record and point of reference for the conduct of public affairs

Ministers are individually accountable to the States Assembly, including for the actions of the departments and agencies which discharge their responsibilities.

The Freedom of Information Law (Jersey) Law 2011 is used as a guide when determining what information is be published. While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.

A decision made 1 August 2014:

Decision Reference: MD-S-2014-0098
Decision Summary Title :	DS – Amending Orders in respect of State Pension Age increase		Date of Decision Summary:	29 July 2014
Decision Summary Author:	Policy Principal		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	WR – Amending Orders in respect of State Pension Age increase		Date of Written Report:	29 July 2014
Written Report Author:	Policy Principal		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Amendments to Social Security and Income Support Orders to align terms describing pensionable age with primary legislation in the Social Security (Jersey) Law 1974
Decision(s): The Minister made 2 Orders amending terms relating to pensionable age to accord with the increase in pension age under the Social Security (Jersey) Law 1974.
Reason(s) for Decision: On the 17th June 2014 the States approved legislation to increase the State pension age from 65 to 67. This increase will be phased in commencing on 1st January 2020 Amendments are necessary to align the provisions of the following Orders with the increased pension age in primary legislation; Income Support (General Provision) (Jersey) Order 2008; Social Security (Accident Benefit) (Jersey) Order 1974; Social Security (Contributions) (Jersey) Order 1975 and the Social Security (Incapacity Benefits) (Jersey) Order 2004
Resource Implications: None
Action required: Policy Principal to notify the Greffe and the Law Draftsman that the Order has been made and to forward the signed and sealed Order to the States Greffe, requesting the Greffier of the States to arrange for the Orders to be notified to the States.
Signature:		Position: Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):