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Pensions adviser

Alternative titles for this job include Pensions consultant

Pensions advisers help people to plan for financial security in retirement.

Average salary (a year)

£22,000 Starter

to

£70,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

36 to 38 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a pensions adviser

You can get into this job through:

  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly
  • a graduate training scheme

Apprenticeship

You can 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.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start as a pensions administrator or financial customer service adviser. You would do 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

You can apply to companies directly 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.

Other Routes

If you have a degree you may be able to join a pension company's graduate trainee scheme to become an adviser.

Employers recruit from a wide range of degree subjects but it may help if your study includes numerical or business based modules.

More Information

Registration

Professional and industry bodies

You can join the Pensions Management Institute for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a pensions adviser from Pension Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • customer service skills
  • knowledge of economics and accounting
  • maths knowledge
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • persistence and determination
  • analytical thinking skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In your day to day duties you may:

  • manage client relationships
  • work with personal and corporate clients
  • find new business
  • calculate the value of pension funds
  • issue regular statements to pension scheme members
  • answer enquiries from scheme members
  • keep up to date with new financial regulations and laws

Working environment

You could work in an office or from home.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

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.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Financial Adviser

  • Wage: £17,000.00 Annually
  • Location: CORN MARKET, WIMBORNE

Trainee Financial Planner Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £23,000.00 Annually
  • Location: PARK FARM, EAST 6 STREET, HAMBLETON

Courses In England

Financial Studies

  • Provider: THE WOODROFFE SCHOOL
  • Start date: 05 September 2024
  • Location: Lyme Regis

Financial Studies

  • Provider: FULSTON MANOR SCHOOL
  • Start date: 01 September 2024
  • Location: Sittingbourne

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