Jersey pension age to go up to 67 by 2031

The change to the pension law would mean the pension age will start going up gradually from 2020

The States of Jersey have agreed that the pension age in the island should go up to 67 from the current 65 by 2031.

The final details will still have to be approved by States members, but after a day of debate politicians agreed to the change.

Members voted 32 to 16 in favour of the change with two members abstaining.

The change to the pension law would mean the pension age will start going up gradually from 2020, by two months every year.

The Social Security Minister Deputy Ian Gorst said in order to be successful, the employment culture in Jersey would have to become more accepting of older workers.

He said: "We do need to change the workplace culture to encourage older workers and we do need to make sure there is proper provision for people unable to work due to ill health.

"This will need co-operation between departments with a strong strategic lead both by this assembly and by our community."