This course provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of pensions.
It is ideal for those joining the pensions industry in a wide range of roles, including:
- Administration
- Investment
- Employee benefit consultancy
- Taxation
It is also a primer for those who may wish to go on and obtain the APA (Pensions) or Qualified Financial Adviser qualifications to advise clients on pensions. This is a 1.5-hour multiple choice exam with 75 questions.
Course Aims
With this course you will be better equipped to:
- Illustrate the need to replace earned income in retirement, the four pillars of pension provision, and the tax incentives available for private retirement provision.
- Appraise the structures and products available for accumulating retirement benefits and illustrate and assess their main investment asset classes and investment structures.
- Identify the regulatory bodies involved in the regulation of DC occupational pension schemes and their roles.
- Assess the different types of pension product charges and demonstrate how to compare charges on products.
- Illustrate and compare the ‘traditional benefit’ option and the ARF option at retirement under a DC occupational pension scheme.
- Evaluate the circumstances in which a transfer value can be paid into or out of a DC occupational pension scheme or a RAC Trust.
Course Content
Modules
An Introduction to Pensions
- The Retirement Income Need
- Accumulating Retirement Benefits
- Investment
- Charges
- Retirement Benefit Options
- Pension Adjustment Orders
- DC Occupational Pension Schemes
- Transfers
- Financial Maths
- Regulation
Key Dates
Upcoming Key Dates
September 2024
Next Exam Session - Click here for a full list of exam dates
12 July 2024
Closing Date for Registrations
Module Pricing
The registration fee for each module is €500 and includes examination entry, textbook, and a suite of learning resources provided in our student log-in area such as your study guide, pre-recorded webinars and more.
Study Fee
If you are not already paying an annual LIA membership fee, you are required to pay one study fee (€100) in addition to your first module fee. This covers you for 12 months study i.e. you can enrol on any number of modules during that time without being charged the study fee again. Those who hold annual membership with LIA are not required to pay the study fee if enrolling on modules.
Minimum Entry Requirements
| Institution | Leaving Cert or Equivalent | Leaving Cert English | Leaving Cert Maths | RPL | Alternative Qualifications | English Language |
| LIA | 5 x O6/H7 or higher | Minimum of Grade O6/H7 | Minimum of Grade O6/H7 | Yes – see below | Yes – see below | IELTS 5.5 |
or
An equivalent qualification at the same level (e.g. A levels; Highers/Advanced Highers (Scotland), International Baccalaureate; European Baccalaureate etc).
Any QQI level 5/6 FE qualification is acceptable.
All applicants are required to have competency in English endorsed by the Irish Leaving Certificate or other equivalent award.
All learners are required to be proficient in English. Where a candidate’s mother tongue is not English, he or she is required to provide a proof of proficiency in the English language through satisfactory performance on an internationally recognised test (e.g. IELTS 5.5) or other similar English Language qualifications.
Mature applicants who do not have a Leaving Certificate will be assessed for entry based on work experience along with a demonstrated commitment towards the academic requirements for the programme. This may be assessed using a written application from the candidate and/or by interview. Such learners will have relevant employment and will have access to the IT facilities necessary to participate in the programme. RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) applicants will be required to complete a personal statement which addresses how the applicant has met the minimum standard by reference to QQI’s Business Standards at Level 6.
All other applicants, who do not meet these criteria, will be dealt with on their individual merits and on a case-by-case basis. Decisions made under this mechanism will not set a precedent for adjudicating similar applications.
Who is this course for?