Pension Transfers & Planning Advice

Level 6 Certificate in Pension Transfers & Planning Advice

FCA Approved for the Pension Transfer Specialist standards (Activity 11) when combined with ANY qualification that enables you to obtain a Statement of Professional Standing for Retail Investment Products.

Remote exams now available

Why study the Pension Transfers & Planning Advice (PTPA)?

The spotlight is on pensions. Future average adult working lives of 40-50 years will involve several job changes, and “cliff edge” retirement is giving way to a wide range of retirement options. The provision of accumulation and decumulation of pensions and savings over a lifetime will require regular, high quality advice ideally provided through a long term professional relationship.

Pension transfer advice is likely to be sought throughout an individual’s entire lifetime as part of the general advisory relationship, and increasingly unlikely to be deferred until 55 or 60 as a one-off exercise.

This new exam meets the needs of the FCA Pension Transfer Specialist standards (Activity 11) when combined with ANY qualification that enables you to obtain a Statement of Professional Standing for Retail Investment Products

Is the Pension Transfers & Planning Advice exam right for me?

The new Level 6 Certificate in Pension Transfers & Planning Advice is the ideal qualification for any financial planner or wealth manager looking at working in this specialist advice area.

The qualification can be taken as a standalone exam and is recommended for candidates who have met the other FCA qualification requirements – dealing with regulations and ethics, investment and risk and retirement planning – by achieving any qualification that enables you to obtain a Statement of Professional Standing for Retail Investment Products. Via the CISI this is the level 4 Investment Advice Diploma (Financial Planning & Advice), Private Client Investment Advice and Management exam with relevant gap fill (lodged with the CISI by 31/12/2020) or the Chartered Wealth Manager Qualification.

Key features:

  • Provides progression from the specialist pathway of the Investment Advice Diploma (Financial Planning & Advice) towards further study at level 6
  • Can be used as an add-on qualification for candidates who have completed the Chartered Wealth Manager Qualification
  • Specialist qualification developed for practitioners aspiring to more senior roles
  • Free CISI student membership – become associated with a chartered professional body and take advantage of an extensive range of benefits
  • MCSI designatory letters – you will be eligible to apply for full Membership (MCSI) of the Institute upon successful completion of the qualification
  • Exams available online via remote invigilation or at one of our global test centres

Qualification factsheet

Qualification Structure

The award is achieved by successfully passing a three-hour exam. To meet the FCA Pension Transfer Specialist standards (Activity 11) the qualification must be combined with a qualification that enables you to obtain a Statement of Professional Standing for Retail Investment Products.

A qualification that enables you to obtain a Statement of Professional Standing for Retail Investment Products
+
Level 6 Certificate in Pension Transfers & Planning Advice
=
Qualification combination that meets FCA Pension Transfer Specialist standards
(Activity 11)

 

 

Exam Details

Exam Availability

Pass Mark / Pass Rate

The current pass rate for this exam is and the pass mark is .

Regulated Qualifications Framework

credits on the Regulated Qualifications Framework are awarded upon successfully passing this exam

Study support and exam

A CISI Pension Transfers & Planning Advice workbook is required to be purchased when booking the exam. This is to ensure there is one standard workbook from which all exam candidates can prepare.

The workbook is now available to purchase and candidates can sit the exam from December 2017 onwards. To purchase the workbook, elearning and to book your exam please contact our customer support centre.

Contact us Find out about My Study

 

Post Qualification Opportunities

Obtaining the Certificate in Pension Transfers & Planning Advice qualification entitles candidates to join the Institute at Member level and utilise the designatory letters, MCSI. As a member of the Institute, you will enjoy the recognition of being a professional in a world of increasing competition.

The extensive continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities available through the CISI’s suite of membership benefits ensures financial services practitioners can maintain competence and meet the requirements of firms and the regulator.

Become a member
We are withdrawing our Pension Transfers & Planning Advice exam in the summer 2025 session. It is strongly recommended the final sitting on 3 June 2025 is for resits only and not for first time candidates. If you have any questions, please contact our Customer Support Team.