We use cookies to improve and customise your experience, for analytics and metrics, and to track any purchases you make both on this website and on others. To find out more about the cookies we use see our cookie policy
More info
- Provide advice and guidance to people on planning their finances for their retirement
- You'll need a good understanding of financial products and regulations
- Progress into pensions management, financial advice or other financial services specialisms
As a pensions adviser, you might work as an adviser or consultant for a pension consultancy firm, setting up and running pensions and benefits schemes on behalf of companies.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Managing client relationships or finding new business
- Calculating the value of pension funds
- Issuing regular statements to pension scheme members
- Answering enquiries from scheme members
- You could also work as a personal pensions adviser, selling pensions and savings plans to individual customers
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You could work in an office or from home.
You'll need
To be a pensions adviser, you'll need customer service skills, knowledge of economics and accounting, maths knowledge, thoroughness and attention to detail, sensitivity and understanding, persistence and determination, analytical thinking skills, and excellent verbal communication skills.
You could get into this job through a higher apprenticeship as a financial adviser, specialising in pensions; or as a financial services professional, specialising in workplace pensions.
You could also start as a pensions administrator or financial customer service adviser, completing qualifications while you work to move into an adviser role. Qualifications are offered by the Pensions Management Institute and the Chartered Insurance Institute.
Direct application to companies is possible if you have experience in finance or sales. GCSEs or A levels in English and maths would also be helpful. Employers will offer you extra training in their pensions products when you start.
If you have a degree you may be able to join a company's graduate trainee scheme.
You'll also need to be registered as an 'approved person' by the Financial Conduct Authority.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience, you could specialise in a particular type of pension, become a pensions manager, or move into other types of financial advice. You could also become a self-employed pensions consultant.