Technical pensions administration

The Pensions Administration steam is for anyone working in Pensions Administration who wishes to work in either DB or DC schemes as a Pensions Consultant, with an aptitude for calculations and the ability to engage clients.

Please refer to the Learning material here :

Pensions Administration TECHNICAL Online Learning Material 

CPC online learning materials 

RPC online learning materials  

The following units will be assessed via short answer questions only:

• Core Unit 2 - Regulation of Retirement Provision : The aim of this unit is to provide an overview of the regulation of retirement provision in the UK. 
• Core Unit 3 - Running a Workplace Pension Scheme  : The aim of this unit is to provide an overview of the requirements of running a workplace pension scheme. 
• Defined Benefit Arrangements unit : This unit provides an in depth understanding of trust-based defined benefit (DB) arrangements, building on and utilising the knowledge gained in the core units and applying it in a variety of scenarios, recognising the requirements of different stakeholders. 
• Defined Contribution Arrangements unit : The aim of the unit is to provide an in depth understanding of trust-based defined benefit (DB) arrangements, building on and utilising the knowledge gained in the core units and applying it in a variety of scenarios, recognising the requirements of different stakeholders. 
• Professionalism & Governance unit

  The aim of the unit is to provide candidates with: 

  • an understanding of the importance of professionalism and ethics 
  • the importance of continuing their own professional development 
  • an appreciation of risk and governance issues as they apply to pension schemes 
  • the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to apply risk and governance principles in a practical situation 
  • evidence that they can communicate their knowledge in a way that is relevant to their audience 

• The above are all part of the Advanced Diploma in Retirement Provision qualification

Please note, we can only accept completion of units post 2016 only. Any exams passed pre 2016 would need to be taken again if you want to complete a particular steam.  

• Award in Pensions Essentials or Retirement Provision Certificate

  The Award in Pensions Essentials is a qualification designed to support and acknowledge the training and development of new pensions administrators or those who need an introduction to pensions, HR or Payroll. 

The Retirement Provision Certificate is ideal for employees new to pensions, support staff and those professionals working in related fields. It provides a broad introduction to pensions and other related benefits in the UK. 

• Certificate in Pensions Calculations

The Certificate in Pensions Calculations (CPC) is a qualification for pensions administrators designed to demonstrate competence in the manual calculation of benefits of occupational pension schemes. 

The following qualification is calculation based:

• Certificate in Pensions Calculations

The following qualification is assessed by multiple choice questions:

• Retirement Provision Certificate

The following qualification is assessed via work-based activity and can only be taken if you are part of a PMI Approved examination Partner:

• Award in Pensions Essentials

Please refer to the Pensions Administration (TECHINICAL) stream specification under 'useful resources' for further information regarding how the exams will be assessed.

Please note, we can only accept completion of units post 2016 only. Any exams passed pre 2016 would need to be taken again if you want to complete a particular steam.  

You are advised to begin studying in November for the April examinations the following year and in May for the October examinations.

The Pensions Administration (technical) stream comprises of 5 units and 3 qualifications.

7 units/qualifications out of the of the eight units/qualifications must be passed in order to complete the qualification

Please note: To sit this qualification, you must be at least a Student member of the PMI.  

For new students or former students returning to the PMI the student membership fee will be £247 (25 April – 31 August 2026)

Existing student members will not be charged a membership fee at point of enrolment but will be invited to renew their membership for the upcoming 25/26 membership cycle in May 2025.  

You do not have to apply for a PMI membership separately as the applicable membership price (if required) will be added to you cart when registering for the exam.