Why stronger saver outcomes begin with better professional standards 

The biggest pensions reforms in a generation will succeed or fail on one factor: the quality of the people delivering them. 

The Government's updated Pensions Roadmap sets an ambitious course for the future, but better governance, stronger value for money and greater transparency won't happen through legislation alone.  

This bold package of measures will depend on a workforce with the skills, knowledge and professionalism to turn reform into reality. 

That's why raising professional standards has never been more important. 

A New Qualification for a New Era 

This month marks an exciting milestone for us: the launch of the PMI Level 5 Experienced Pensions Professional Certificate (EPPC), our first new qualification since 2022. 

The EPPC is something genuinely different. It’s not exam based, and it doesn’t rely on coursework. Instead, it’s evidence based and geared towards pensions administration professionals, with five or more years' experience.  

It recognises high-level practical skills, technical knowledge, and professional behaviours across a broad range of pension administration activities allowing experienced pensions professionals to demonstrate their competence through the work they do every day.  

Candidates build a portfolio of evidence, from work products and witness testimonies to personal reflections, that showcases their technical expertise, professional behaviours, and practical experience. 

In short, it’s a qualification that recognises real world excellence. 

I subscribe to the belief that the pensions industry doesn’t just need more qualifications, it needs the right qualifications. The EPPC delivers on that: a modern, flexible, and inclusive way to validate professional skill at a time when standards matter more than ever. 

Raising Standards in Line with Government Expectations 

The Government’s roadmap makes one thing clear: the future of pensions will be built on trust, transparency, and professionalism. Schemes will be benchmarked, performance will be published, and savers will expect clear evidence that their money is being managed responsibly. 

That’s where qualifications like the EPPC come in. By setting measurable standards for competence and professionalism, we’re helping the industry meet and exceed those expectations. 

This isn’t just about ticking regulatory boxes. It’s about building confidence. When employers know their teams are qualified to PMI standards, they can demonstrate compliance, improve service delivery, and strengthen governance. When individuals achieve the EPPC, they gain formal recognition of their expertise and achieve ProfPMI status, supported by ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD). 

Innovation That Reflects the Modern Workplace 

The EPPC also represents a shift in how we think about learning. Traditional exams have their place, but they don’t always capture the depth of experience that seasoned professionals bring to their roles. 

By focusing on evidence gathered through day to day work, the EPPC celebrates that experience and turns it into a recognised qualification. It’s an authentic way to measure competence,  and can be deemed a more inclusive one too. 

Building Confidence Across the Industry 

For employers, the EPPC is a practical tool for workforce development. It helps benchmark competence, supports career progression, and ensures teams are equipped to deliver high quality service in line with regulatory expectations. 

For individuals, it’s a chance to gain formal recognition for the expertise they’ve built over years of practice. It’s also a statement of professional pride, proof that they meet the highest standards in pensions administration. 

And for the industry as a whole, it’s another step toward a more transparent, accountable, and trusted pensions system. 

The EPPC is the first in a series of qualification developments to be launched in 2027, which will include a Level 6 specifically for Senior Pensions Administrators. We are committed to expanding our portfolio to support professionals at every stage of their careers, and we are already hard at work developing the next wave of industry-leading programmes.

A Profession Ready for Reform 

The Government’s roadmap is ambitious, and rightly so. It sets out a future where savers can easily compare schemes, where consolidation drives efficiency, and where every pound invested delivers genuine value. 

But achieving that vision requires more than policy; it requires people. Skilled, qualified, and committed professionals who understand the complexities of pensions and are equipped to deliver reform responsibly. 

That’s why our role – and that of many other industry bodies - is so vital. Through qualifications like the EPPC, and initiatives such as our Trustee Accelerator Programme,  we’re helping to build the professional foundation for a stronger pensions system, one that delivers better outcomes for savers and greater confidence for employers. 

Raising standards is a commitment to excellence, not simply a compliance exercise. Together, we can raise the bar for pensions professionalism and make sure our industry is ready for the future that’s fast approaching.  

If you’d like to find out more or register your interest in the EPPC, please visit Register your interest - EPPC | The Pensions Management Institute (PMI)