Course introduction
This online course will enable you to understand the key subject areas in relation to retirement planning.

The learning outcomes are appropriate both for someone studying for the CII CF4 exam on Retirement Planning or for professionals looking to brush up on their knowledge.

Course material
The course material consists of:

• 13 chapter of study text containing several examples, and
• Revision assessments for each chapter to help confirm your understanding.

We have developed demonstrations for our online courses that show you the content topics and our easy to use course navigation system. If you decide to purchase you will of course see the full version with the full contents all fully formatted and be able to access the chapter & final assessments.

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 large discount.

CPD credit
You will be credited with a minimum of 11 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

1. To understand the background to retirement provision in the UK and assessing individual clients’ needs
2. To understand the main HMRC rules as they apply to registered pension schemes and their tax treatment
3. To understand the effects of pension simplification and the transitional protections that apply to pre A-Day benefits
4. To understand the main State pension benefits to which individuals may be entitled to in retirement
5. To understand the eligibility, features, benefits, restrictions and variations of the various forms of individual pension plans
6. To understand the eligibility, features, benefits, restrictions and variations of the various forms of defined contribution occupational pension plans
7. To understand the eligibility, features, benefits, restrictions and variations of the variations of defined benefit occupational pension plans
8. To understand the requirements as they relate to occupational pension schemes of company reconstructions, bulk transfers and termination
9. To understand the benefit choices that members of registered pension schemes have when they start to draw retirement benefits
10. To understand the concept of risk and return and how it relates to an investor’s retirement planning strategy
11. To have a knowledge of the alternative investment choices that can be used by investors to plan for retirement
12. To understand the main legislation governing pensions and divorce or the dissolution of civil partnerships
13. To understand the basic concepts behind analysing a client’s needs and making suitable recommendations.

FULL COURSE CONTENTS

Chapter 1 Assessing retirement planning needs
Introduction
UK pension provision
Assessing financial needs at retirement
Assessing existing provision

Chapter 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

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

Chapter 4 Legacy issues and transitional protection
Legacy issues
Transitional protection

Chapter 5 State Pension Benefits
Basic State pension
Additional State pensions

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

Chapter 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

Chapter 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

Chapter 9 Retirement options
Secured pensions
Unsecured pensions
Phased retirement
Alternatively secured pensions

Chapter 10 Risk and return
Risk and return
Types of risk that may affect investment returns
Lifestyling

Chapter 11 Other investments for retirement planning
Individual savings accounts
Direct investment
Collective investment
Employee share schemes
Selling a business
Life assurance investment bonds
Endowment policies

Chapter 12 Pensions and divorce
Introduction
Offsetting
Earmarking
Sharing
Post A-Day effects on pensions and divorce

Chapter 13 Analysing needs and choosing products
Customer circumstances
Making product solutions

Chapter 14 End of course assessments