Means-test, brave or foolhardy?
IT’S becoming like a test of bravery for politicians – who has the courage to take on the old age pension?
Because suggest subjecting the pension to a means-test and you will come in for criticism, whether that be from the public or, more immediately, the president of the Employment and Social Security Committee.
Deputy Peter Roffey is always ready to give short shrift to such ideas, the latest one offered by Deputy Carl Meerveld.
His case is that universal pensions are unsustainable in any western jurisdiction. Australia means-tests the state pension, but also has a much better defined ‘pension’ arrangement.
Some Guernsey politicians know from experience just what dodgy ground this can be, and Deputy Roffey will hold no truck with potentially withdrawing payment from an insurance scheme. He described it as ‘tantamount to fraud’.
Deputy Meerveld is steadfast that his idea deserves an audience and serious consideration.
‘My fellow deputies are reluctant to have that conversation, but we must have that conversation.’
As retirement changes, and any drain on the public purse from the old age pension can be clarified, then a conversation, in its broadest sense, would not be the worst idea anyone has ever had. We have argued that means-testing should not be feared by many in the community. But it takes a brave or foolhardy politician to pursue it.