Statutory workplace pensions look set be put back on the Jersey government's agenda this month.

The Social Security department has confirmed the original scheme, which would have introduced statutory workplace pensions in the island, will be reworked in its next business plan - due to be published later this month. 

Initially the idea, put forward by the previous Council of Ministers, would have made it compulsory for businesses to offer their employees a pension scheme.

Currently, employers in Guernsey and Alderney with 26 or more staff are required to offer a pension. 

It was thought that plans to make similar moves in Jersey would not happen under the current government, with Social Security Minister Lyndsay Feltham quoted last summer as saying she was instead opting to prioritise the transition to a living wage.

Jersey's minimum wage is due to rise to £13 an hour from April this year and a £20 million 'Better Business Support Package' has been launched to help local companies with the changes. 

READ MORE: Minimum wage in Jersey to rise to £13 in April 2025

It has been confirmed to Channel 103 that the workplace pension scheme has not been shelved and will be addressed later this month. Whether or not the original scheme will be put forward is still to be confirmed. 

Deputy Max Andrews

Backbencher Deputy Max Andrews is calling for statutory workplace pensions to be a priority for 2025: 

"The government has to make sure that people, once they do reach a pensionable age, can receive a decent pension.

"A private pension can provide supplementary income to increase their gross income, so that they can be better off during their years of retirement.

"The concern I still have is whether this will be implemented before the end of this (government) term, or not.

"I think there is a real risk, if we go into next term and it has not been finalised or approved, that a new minister could come along and could say ' we're going to scrap it'."

Deputy Max Andrews said he is meeting with Social Security Minister Lyndsay Feltham today (6 January) to put forward his concerns.