The Chartered Insurance Institute has made changes to its QCF level four pensions update programme to cover the impact of greater pension freedoms on at-retirement advice.
The CII Pensions Update Programme has been shaken up to allow financial planners, paraplanners and those in related roles to keep up to speed with the new pension freedoms.
According to the exam body, the QCF level four pensions update programme develops knowledge of recent pension reforms and understanding of how the changes impact at-retirement advice.
Enrolment includes a study text, online study support and entry to the online exam.
Successful completion awards a pass in new CII unit R08 Pensions update and 10 Diploma-level credits towards the Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning.
Online exams are available nationwide, year-round and there is an in-house option for firms.
The programme covers changes to the HM Revenue and Customs tax regime introduced by the Taxation of Pensions Act 2014, new legislative, reporting and compliance requirements arising from the pension reforms, developments in pension provision and the main changes in the rules for members transferring their benefits.
Changes to pension income options will also be covered as well as the changes that will be made to state pension provision from 06 April 2016.
Advisers knowledge of key factors that should be taken into account when advising a client how to derive an income in retirement will also be tested on.
Enrolments open on 30 April.
You can also test your knowledge on the greater pension freedoms and earn CPD by reading FTAdviser’s Guide to Pension Freedoms.
emma.hughes@ft.com
