Pensions adviser

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

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

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.

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.

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

Registration

• you'll need to register as an 'approved person' by the Financial Conduct Authority

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.

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

Your day-to-day duties may include:

• 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 work in an office or from home.