
Jersey’s Social Security Minister, Deputy Lyndsay Feltham, has stated that the state pension was never meant to replace a full-time wage for pensioners. Feltham’s comments came after Deputy Max Andrews raised concerns about pensioners, particularly those on lower incomes, struggling to make ends meet.
Feltham responded that raising the state pension by 63% to match the island's minimum wage would be difficult and costly, given the island's aging population. While she acknowledged the hardship faced by pensioners, she emphasized that making significant increases to the pension would put further pressure on working-age people.
She also clarified that the state pension is supported by additional benefits like the community cost bonus and income support. To further help, Feltham is looking into expanding the Pension Plus scheme, which provides low-income pensioners with subsidised dental, eye, and foot care, and may also extend subsidies for doctor's appointments.
Andrews agreed that raising the state pension to match the minimum wage would be unrealistic. He suggested that the government focus on increasing tax revenues and social security contributions, as well as reducing spending on non-essential services, to better support pensioners, especially during the costly winter months.