Dear Wizard Learner

We have now launched our J04 Pensions funding options online course including audiovisual presentations. This follows on from our very recent and sucessful courses for J05 and J06 and the certificate subjects CF1 to CF4.

The online course has been established to help you understand key retirement funding advice subject areas and apply your knowledge.

Course material The course material consists of: 10 chapters of study notes containing several examples Total estimated learning/CPD time is 27 hours Each chapter includes an audiovisual presentation on a key area similar to the sample. Total viewing time for all presentations is 65 minutes. Revision assessments for each chapter to help confirm your understanding.

Presentation from chapter two

Case study & final assessments

In addition, on completion of the course, you will have the opportunity to complete:

• A 100 question final revision assessment that uses the section revision questions
• A case study incorporating 20 multiple choice questions
• A final 20 question assessment based on the study material. Your assessment results and answers to any questions answered incorrectly will be emailed to you. If you don’t pass, or just want to take a second test, an additional 20 question assessment can be taken.

Additional information
Access is provided for 6 months and includes syllabus updates. If you purchase 3 products your receive 12 months access plus syllabus updates PLUS you qualify for a 30% discount.

CPD credit
You will be credited with a minimum of 27 hours of CPD with the time added to your CPD certificate gradually as you complete each assessment. Your CPD hours and results will be added to your CPD certificate which can be viewed and printed from the CPD certificate link on the menu at any time.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
To understand the current pension issues and how they affect an individual’s retirement planning needs

1. To understand the main HMRC rules as they apply to registered pension schemes and their tax treatment
2. To understand the effects of pension simplification and the transitional protections that apply to pre A-Day benefits
3. To understand the main State pension benefits to which individuals may be entitled to in retirement
4. To understand the eligibility, features, benefits, restrictions and variations of the various forms of individual pension plans
5. To understand the eligibility, features, benefits, restrictions and variations of the various forms of defined contribution occupational pension plans
6. To understand the eligibility, features, benefits, restrictions and variations of the variations of defined benefit occupational pension plans
7. To understand the requirements as they relate to occupational pension schemes of company reconstructions, bulk transfers and termination
8. To understand some of the main legislation as it affects pension schemes
9. To understand the main concepts, regulations and calculations involved in the assessment of pension transfers and their viability for the client

Full course content
The course is made up of 11 chapters covering the following areas:

1. Current pension issues
The Pensions Act 2004, The Pensions Act 2007 and other changes
Scheme solvency
Scheme trends

2. HMRC Rules Part 1
Scheme registration, tax privileges and eligibility
The simplified regime
The lifetime allowance
The annual allowance
Pension input periods and amounts
Retirement age
Benefit crystallisation events
Crystallised value
Testing against the lifetime allowance
Pension commencement lump sums
Pension income options
Death benefits
Triviality
The lifetime allowance charge
The annual allowance charge
Transitional protection

3. HMRC Rules Part 2
Death benefits before crystallisation
Tax treatment of contributions, pension funds and benefits
Tax sanctions
Reporting requirements
Permitted investments

4. Legacy issues and transitional protection
Legacy issues
Transitional protection

5. State Pension Benefits
Basic State pension
Additional State pensions

6. Individual pensions
Personal and stakeholder pensions
Group personal and stakeholder pension plans
Self invested personal pensions (SIPPs)
Section 32 policies

7. Occupational defined contribution pension schemes
Contracted in money purchase schemes (CIMPS)
Contracted out money purchase schemes (COMPS)
Topping up
Executive pension plans and small self administered schemes

8. Occupational defined benefit pension schemes
Introduction
Personal benefits
Survivor benefits
Public sector benefits
Investment
Funding
Early and late retirement
Variations
Topping up
Company reconstructions
Bulk transfer and termination

9. Legal issues
Social security law – Pensions Act 1995 and Pensions Act 2004
The role of trustees
The role of actuaries, auditors and administrators
Financial services regulation and European law

10. Pension transfers
Options on leaving and employer’s service with preserved pension rights
Preserved pension benefit revaluation
Calculating transfer values
Transfer value analysis systems
Investment considerations in the context of pension transfers
Transfers to overseas pension schemes from the UK
Transfers from overseas pension schemes to the UK
Compliance issues

11. Glossary

Kind regards

Mike

Wizard Learning
www.wizardlearning.com

Winner of the Best Online Educational Initiative at the November 2008 Online Finance Awards

Wizard Learning is run by Mike Goldsmith a Chartered Financial Planner in association with a team of highly qualified, industry experienced individuals in order to assist finance professionals pass industry exams and help meet their CPD requirements.

Contact us if you have any comments or questions.

To view this and other latest news as webpages visit this link http://www.wizardlearning.com/latest_news.html