Progressing your career

Elevate your Professional Development. Transform your career with PMI Pathways—where continuous professional development meets proven expertise. Our pathways are designed to help you demonstrate your knowledge and abilities, building trust and enhancing your reputation in the industry. Launched April 2023, PMI Pathways provides the tools and recognition you need to excel.

PMI Pathways

Advance your professional development with our tailored PMI Pathways.

Combining comprehensive qualifications and essential units from the Advanced Diploma in Retirement Provision, our pathways offer five specialised streams: Retirement Provision, Technical and Practical Pensions Administration, Pensions Trusteeship, and Pensions Benefits.. Each pathway is meticulously crafted to enhance your expertise, demonstrate your knowledge, and build your professional reputation, ensuring you become a trusted leader in your field.

Under the new Pathways, all learners will start their journey with the PMI as a student member. Successful completion of a full qualification* will give you eligibility for Professional membership status. A learner can then progress to Associateship after completing all exams listed under the pathway and holding Professional Membership for two straight years.

After 5 years of continuous Associate Membership with CPD and demonstrable experience, you can then apply to become a Fellow.

Please note Professional Membership is mandatory for two years for anyone who wants to apply for an Associate Membership. This will be in addition to completing all the relevant qualifications and combination of units under their chosen pathway.

*Full qualification or five Advanced Diploma in Retirement Provision modules listed under the named Pathways.

 

Download the Pathways Brochure. 

Retirement Provision

Retirement Provision Pathway

Embark on a specialised journey with the Retirement Provision Pathway, designed for professionals aiming to deepen their expertise in retirement planning and pension management. This pathway is ideal for those in roles such as pension scheme managers, retirement consultants, and policy advisors. It provides the essential knowledge and skills to excel in the retirement provision sector, helping you become a trusted authority and leader.

Who is this pathway for? The Retirement Provision Pathway is perfect for professionals looking to advance their careers in the pensions industry. Whether you are a pension scheme manager, retirement consultant, or policy advisor, this pathway will equip you with advanced skills and knowledge.

Applicable Job Roles:

Pension Scheme Managers

Retirement Consultants

Policy Advisors

Financial Planners specialising in pensions

Human Resource Professionals managing pension schemes

Career Progression: By completing this pathway, you will not only enhance your expertise but also position yourself as a trusted leader in the field. The comprehensive curriculum covers core units and specialised subjects such as Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution Arrangements, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of retirement provision. This qualification builds your professional reputation, demonstrating your commitment to excellence and lifelong learning.

Key Components:

Core Units - Core Unit 1A, Core Unit 2, Core Unit 3 and Core Unit 4

Specialised Units: Reward and Retirement Provision, Defined Benefit Arrangements, Defined Contribution Arrangements, Professionalism & Governance unit

This pathway includes parts of the Advanced Diploma in Retirement Provision, recognised for its depth and rigor, ensuring you stand out in the competitive pensions industry.

Technical Pensions (Administration)

Technical Pensions Administration Pathway

Enhance your technical expertise and operational skills in pension administration with the Technical Pensions Administration Pathway. This pathway is ideal for professionals aiming to excel in the technical aspects of pension scheme management, including calculation accuracy, regulatory compliance, and scheme administration.

Who is this pathway for? The Technical Pensions Administration Pathway is designed for professionals seeking to deepen their technical knowledge and administrative capabilities within the pensions industry. It is particularly beneficial for pension scheme administrators, technical consultants, and compliance officers.

Applicable Job Roles:

Pension Scheme Administrators

Technical Pension Consultants

Compliance Officers

Pensions Operations Managers

Scheme Actuaries

Career Progression: Completing this pathway will significantly enhance your technical and operational expertise, making you a valuable asset in the pensions industry. It prepares you for advanced roles in pension administration, ensuring you are well-versed in the latest regulations and best practices. The qualifications and units included are recognised for their depth and rigor, helping you build a strong professional reputation and advancing your career.

 

Key Components:

Core Units - Core Unit 2 , Core Unit 3

Specialised Units: Defined Benefit Arrangements, Defined Contribution Arrangements, Professionalism & Governance

Additional Qualifications: Award in Pensions Essentials or Retirement Provision Certificate, Certificate in Pensions Calculations

This pathway includes parts of the Advanced Diploma in Retirement Provision, ensuring comprehensive coverage of technical and administrative aspects crucial for professional growth and excellence in the pensions industry.

Pensions Trusteeship

Pension Trusteeship Pathway

Develop your leadership and governance skills with the Pension Trusteeship Pathway. This pathway is tailored for those looking to excel in trustee roles within pension schemes, focusing on enhancing your ability to manage, govern, and make informed decisions that impact scheme members and beneficiaries.

Who is this pathway for? The Pension Trusteeship Pathway is ideal for current and aspiring pension trustees, governance committee members, and professionals looking to deepen their understanding of pension scheme management and trusteeship. It’s also beneficial for those who have completed the Pensions Regulator’s Trustee Toolkit or are interested in stepping into trusteeship roles.

Applicable Job Roles:

Pension Trustees

Governance Committee Members

Scheme Secretaries

Trustees of Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution schemes

Professional Trustees

Career Progression: Completing this pathway will equip you with the skills necessary for effective pension scheme governance and trusteeship, making you a vital asset in the pensions industry. You’ll gain in-depth knowledge of both Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution arrangements, as well as key governance and professional standards. This pathway enhances your ability to analyse complex scenarios, prioritise tasks, and lead with confidence, positioning you for advanced roles and increased responsibilities.

Key Components:

Core Units: Defined Benefit Arrangements, Defined Contribution Arrangements, Professionalism & Governance

Additional Qualifications: Retirement Provision Certificate, Diploma in Pension Trusteeship, Certificate in Pension Trusteeship – CPT unit 1 (Award in Pension Trusteeship), CPT unit 2 (soft skills exam)

This pathway forms part of the comprehensive learning and development framework offered by PMI, ensuring you are well-prepared to manage the complexities of pension scheme trusteeship with competence and integrity

Pensions Benefits

Pension Benefits Pathway

Expand your expertise in managing and delivering pension benefits with the Pension Benefits Pathway. This pathway is designed for professionals who aim to excel in the strategic and operational aspects of pension benefits, ensuring that they can effectively navigate the complexities of both defined benefit and defined contribution schemes.

Who is this pathway for? The Pension Benefits Pathway is ideal for professionals involved in the administration and management of pension schemes, such as benefits managers, HR professionals, and pension consultants. It is also suitable for those working in international employee benefits, who need to understand the broader context and implications of pension provisions globally.

Applicable Job Roles:

Pension Benefits Managers

HR Professionals

Pension Scheme Administrators

Benefits Consultants

International Employee Benefits Specialists

Career Progression: Completing this pathway will significantly enhance your ability to manage pension benefits, from the intricacies of scheme design to the operational challenges of benefit delivery. You'll gain a thorough understanding of both defined benefit and defined contribution arrangements, as well as the professionalism and governance standards required to excel in this field. This qualification will position you as a knowledgeable and trusted expert, capable of advising and leading in the complex landscape of pension benefits.

Key Components:

Core Units: Core Unit 2, Core Unit 3 and Core Unit 4. Core Unit 2 (Regulation of Retirement Provision), Core Unit 3 (Running a Workplace Pension Scheme), Core Unit 4 (Financing and Investing for Retirement Provision)

Specialised Units: Reward and Retirement Provision, Defined Benefit Arrangements or Defined Contribution Arrangements, Professionalism & Governance

Advanced Qualification: Diploma in International Employee Benefits

This pathway forms part of the comprehensive learning and development framework offered by PMI, ensuring you are well-prepared to manage and deliver effective pension benefits in any organisational context

Practical Pensions (Administration)

Practical Pensions Administration Pathway Strengthen your practical skills and operational efficiency in pension administration with the Practical Pensions Administration Pathway. This pathway is designed for professionals who manage the day-to-day operations of pension schemes, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and effective member communication.

Who is this pathway for? The Practical Pensions Administration Pathway is ideal for pension scheme administrators, operations managers, and client service representatives. It’s suited for those who are directly involved in the technical and operational aspects of pension management and are looking to enhance their practical knowledge and skills.

Applicable Job Roles:

Pension Scheme Administrators

Operations Managers

Client Service Representatives

Pensions Officers

Benefits Administrators

Career Progression: Completing this pathway will equip you with the essential skills needed to excel in pension administration roles. You will gain a thorough understanding of both defined benefit and defined contribution schemes, and learn how to apply professionalism and governance principles in your daily work. This qualification enhances your ability to handle complex calculations, provide accurate member guidance, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. It positions you for advanced roles in pension scheme management and client service excellence.

Key Components:

Core Units: Defined Benefit Arrangements, Defined Contribution Arrangements, Professionalism & Governance

Additional Qualifications: Certificate in Pension Scheme Member Guidance, Certificate in Pensions Calculations, Award in Pensions Essentials /Retirement Provision Certificate

This pathway forms part of the comprehensive learning and development framework offered by PMI, ensuring you are well-prepared to manage the practical and technical aspects of pension scheme administration with confidence and expertise.

 

What next for Qualification

It is an exciting time at the PMI, as we launch our new pathways to make our Membership and qualifications easier to access for all. The five pathways have been introduced with one aim: to make our qualifications more streamlined to a specific career path, so that our learners can undertake a group of units or qualifications that fit their career goals.

Although new pathways have been introduced, you can still sit and complete a singular qualification. If you do not wish to follow the pathway model but want to complete Advanced Diploma and Diploma in Retirement Provision, you can do so too. However, you will only have access to this until April 2028, meaning learners have sufficient time left if they would like to complete this qualification.

If you are interested in the new pathways, we will accept passes from units or qualifications achieved post-2016. Anything pre-2016 will need to be passed again (if a learner would like to qualify for one of the new Pathways).

If you require a little more information or are unsure which pathway may relate to you, the Qualifications team are on hand to answer any of your queries.

Get in touch with the qualifications team

What next for Membership

PMI Pathways has now introduced 5 career-specific routes to Fellowship.

The biggest change will be for all existing Certificate members and Diploma members. From 2023 you will be automatically migrated to the new Professional Membership.

Under the new pathways, if you have already completed a PMI qualification or combination of qualifying units that would not have made you eligible for Certificate or Diploma membership under the previous membership structure you may now be eligible to become a Professional member.

If you were a lapsed Certificate or Diploma member you have also been migrated to the new Professional membership and you can reinstate your PMI membership in order to take advantage of your enhanced member benefits.

Please get in touch with us to discuss your eligibility or to reinstate your membership.

If you do wish to progress towards Associateship all the qualifications and unit examinations need to have been sat in 2016 or after.

You must retake any qualifications or units sat before 2016. If you are currently on track to complete the Diploma in Retirement Provision you will still be eligible to upgrade to Professional Membership once you have completed 5 out of 6 units. Please get in touch with us to discuss your options.

We will be delivering an enhanced member portal with, tailored member and qualification journey information, and be providing more members benefits in 2023!

Get in touch with the membership team

Webinar

Speakers: Gareth Tancred, CEO | Sara Cook, President | Varsha Gicas, Director of Commerce & Engagement | Dr. Keith Hoodless, Director of Lifelong Learning.

This webinar covers the future of the institute’s membership and qualifications pathways. You will see how your feedback has guided us in developing this structure, how it will affect you as a learner or a member, and what it will mean for you in the future.

FAQs