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STATES OF JERSEY
PENSION PLUS SCHEME (P.90/2022): COMMENTS
Presented to the States on 13th September 2022 by the Council of Ministers
STATES GREFFE
2022 P.90 Com.
COMMENTS
Deputy Scott acknowledges that P.90/2022 offers a starting point' created against tight time constraints. Working to the same time constraints, the Council of Ministers is unable to support the proposition, recognising there are a range of factors which must be considered before legislative changes can be agreed. In particular these include the treatment of pensioner couples, the maintenance of the proposed income threshold, and the definition and level of rent to qualify for the benefit. Without serious consideration of these factors, the proposition may create inconsistencies and unfairness in its application.
However, an amendment to the Mini-Budget will offer immediate assistance to the group of people who share Pensioner B's' circumstances. P.80/2022 Amd 3 has the support of the Council of Ministers and asks the Assembly to extend eligibility for the Community Costs Bonus to households that have a tax liability in 2021 of less than £2,735. If approved this will provide a payment of £516.50 to taxpayer households who, until now, have fallen just outside the threshold of eligibility.
P.90/2022 does offer valuable insight into the current structure of the Pension Plus eligibility rules, and how these could be amended. The Minister for Social Security therefore commits to include a review of entitlement and eligibility to means tested pensioner benefits in 2023 in her Ministerial Plan. This review will consider income and asset thresholds as well as pensioners' wider circumstances.
The Council is grateful to Deputy Scott for raising these issues.
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P.90/2022 Com.