Deputy Lee Van Katwyk said that dozens of pensioners had now approached him over the past year with concerns about the information that they received when changes were made to the system in the early 2000s.
Under the old system, married women could pay lower social insurance contributions and later receive a pension based on their husband’s contributions.
Changes proposed in 2003 aimed to phase this system out, and move women onto individual pensions instead.
Deputy Van Katwyk said he had heard allegations from women who felt they had been given poor or misleading information during the changes, leaving some facing difficulties with their pension entitlement years later.
‘Every couple of months I’ve been meeting with different constituents, and those of pension age have been mentioning this issue that they’ve come up against,’ he said.
‘They feel like they’ve just been completely ignored and they’ve been hitting brick walls, so I feel like I can at least do my best to pick it up and see where I can take it.’
He is now asking anyone who believes they were affected, or knows somebody who was, to contact him.
And last week, he posted a video on his social media account to spread the message, while offering to hear from women affected.
Deputy Van Katwyk told the Guernsey Press he intended to speak with those who came forward individually before looking to take any action.
‘This is the first stage of the investigation,’ he said. ‘From what I’ve heard from multiple people, it seems like there is obviously something worth investigating here.
‘But I wouldn’t like to pass comment on my views until I’ve spoken to all parties.’
Changes to the system introduced by the States in 2004 removed the presumption that married women would be financially dependent on their husbands and if they did work, they would pay a much-reduced rate of social security contribution which did not count towards the old age pension.
The reforms made the system individual-based, gender neutral and human rights compliant.
They were expected over time to improve women’s pension entitlements as they paid full rate contributions while working, and to offer childcare credits for those who took time out of the workforce to bring up children.
‘While individualising benefits under the social insurance scheme, there was an obvious need to recognise the reasonable expectations of married women regarding their future pension entitlements based on their husbands’ contribution records,’ said Social Security.
A ‘complex’ set of transitional provisions was also introduced.
The issue has been revisited at least twice by deputies over the past 15 years, but the idea of introducing a compensation scheme for those affected was rejected in 2011 with the cost estimated at some £10m.
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