Certificate in Pensions Calculations

The qualification is made up of seven separate units which must all be completed to achieve the qualification.

Units are assessed via examination designed to demonstrate candidates’ competence in the manual calculation of benefits of occupational pension schemes and is assessed by open book case study examinations offered each year in March and September.

CPC Examinations

The case studies are based on three fictitious pension schemes - two of these are final salary schemes (one of which is a care scheme) and one is a money purchase scheme.

Candidates have to be able to carry out manual calculations for all three schemes. Candidates also have to write to at least one member or client explaining the benefits payable and asking for any further information required before the scheme can pay the benefits.

Please navigate to the CPC learning website for further CPC learning materials -

https://www.cpc-learning-materials.com

Units are assessed via examination designed to demonstrate learners’ competence in the manual calculation of benefits of occupational pension schemes and is assessed by open book case study examinations offered each year in March and September. 

Early preparation and a planned study schedule for the examinations is essential:

1. The case studies are based on three fictitious pension schemes - two final salary schemes, one of which is contracted out and a money purchase scheme with the option to contract out.

   Learners have to be able to carry out manual calculations for all three schemes.  Learners also have to write to at least one member or client explaining the benefits payable and asking for any further information required before the scheme can pay the benefits.

2. Practise calculations from past papers and check the answers against those given in the appendix to the Examiners’ Report.
3. Read copies of past Examiners’ Reports – these will identify many common problems and guidance about how to avoid them.

Please refer to the CPC learning webpage here https://www.cpc-learning-materials.com/

The online learning programmes are accessible from any computer that gives access to the internet, please visit the Useful resources above to access these resources - https://www.cpc-learning-materials.com/

The examinations are designed to test the competence of candidates in the calculation and communication of pension benefits for a range of scheme types.  Depending on the examination being tested, there will be either five or six case studies (Calculation Section) and either one or two letters (Letter Section).

The examinations are based on three types of fictitious pension schemes:

The examinations require candidates to provide evidence of their ability to:

• understand and interpret rules for different types of pension scheme
• carry out manual calculations for a range of member events, this range is detailed in the Units.
• understand the impact of supplementary information (e.g. part-time service, enhanced accrual rates, transferred-in benefits, AVCs, etc.) on the core benefits payable
• understand legislative restrictions that apply to the level of benefits payable
• communicate benefit options fully and accurately and request all the information required before the scheme can pay the benefits

Copies of Scheme Booklets and Tables of Factors should be taken into the examinations. It is vital that candidates ensure they have the current versions, which are downloadable from the CPC learning website -

https://www.cpc-learning-materials.com/

Please refer to the past papers on the CPC learning webpage here https://www.cpc-learning-materials.com/

The PMI have recently launched the 'study skills' website, which will help learners understand how best to prepare for their exams, as well as gives tips and information regarding the specific style of exams you may be taking.

The study skills website can be found here -

https://www.pmi-study-skills.co.uk/

Please download the 'CPC Exam Timetable' under 'Useful Resources'

The date will be confirmed once the exams have commenced, however the results are issued within 3 months of the date of the exams, once they have been signed off by the CPC Committee.

Upon completion of the CPC qualification, individuals can apply for Professional level of membership from the PMI and have the designatory initials ProfPMI after their name.

It is an Ofqual requirement that Awarding Organisations must capture the Unique Learner Number (ULN) for all candidates. The Learner Registration Service (LRS) will allocate a ULN to every person undertaking education and training. Candidate details submitted to PMI need to match those on the LRS exactly, if there are any differences, PMI will be unable to validate the ULN.

For more information and to generate a ULN, please refer to the Learning Records Service – Learner Registration Area: www.learningrecordsservice.org.uk

It is not mandatory requirement to have a ULN.

This qualification can be used as part of the Workplace Pensions Trailblazer Apprenticeship. Amongst the many benefits of the apprenticeship is the opportunity to access Government funding to cover the cost of the qualifications and any associated training. 

Employers/training providers wishing to use this qualification as part of the apprenticeship should use the apprenticeship specific registration/entry forms.

Special consideration can be given to an individual who has temporarily experienced illness or injury or some other circumstance outside his or her control (such as problems at the exam centre such as noise or disturbance) that may have impacted on performance or attainment. 

The PMI is committed to providing fair and consistent examination, verification, approval and assessment processes. Visit the Wider information set page to find out more.