15 May 2017
The Minister for Social Security has today (15 May 2017) published a summary of the views of Islanders who replied to the “Living Longer: Thinking Ahead” public consultation. This is the first part of a major review into income in retirement and the Social Security scheme.
Between October 2016 and January 2017, over 1,300 people gave their views by completing a questionnaire designed to help set the direction of Jersey’s Social Security scheme and how people save for retirement. The in-depth review also included workshops with members of the public and representatives from interest groups and the business community in Jersey.
Minister for Social Security, Deputy Susie Pinel, said: “We launched this public review because we recognise the importance of working closely with Islanders when considering any changes to a scheme that will affect everyone. I’m very pleased that so many people took part to give their views and ideas.”
In the first part of the consultation on saving for retirement, the most popular ideas were that the government should promote or enforce workplace pensions, provide information about saving for retirement and provide incentives to encourage people to save.
The second part of the consultation focused on adapting the Social Security scheme to living longer. There were different views about whether Islanders should pay more contributions or the old age pension increase more slowly in the future.
In the next part of the review, the government will build on the consultation comments and ideas, looking in more detail at: contributory benefits, the contribution rules for self-employed people, how working-age incapacity is assessed and retirement income and saving (for example, workplace pensions).
Minister for Social Security, Deputy Susie Pinel, said: “I am looking forward to the next stage of the review bearing in mind the views and ideas we have received. These will help to set the direction of Jersey’s Social Security scheme for the next thirty years.”
A summary of the consultation views can be found using the link below.
Social Security review
Reports published today (15 May 2017):
Download the consultation summary, consultation report and workshop notes below.
gov.je