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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

£80,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

36 to 38 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends on shifts

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.

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

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

Day-to-day tasks

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

Working environment

You could work in an office or from home.

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

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a pensions adviser right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Financial Studies

  • Provider: THE LEIGH ACADEMY
  • Start date: 01 September 2021
  • Location: Dartford

Financial Studies

  • Provider: BIRCHWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
  • Start date: 01 September 2021
  • Location: Bishop's Stortford
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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Speak to an adviser

Call 0800 100 900 or use webchat

  • 8am - 8pm Monday - Friday
  • 10am - 5pm Saturday

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