PMI Introduces Evidence-Based Qualification for Pensions

The Pensions Management Institute has launched its first new qualification since 2022, aiming to raise professional standards across the pensions administration sector. The Level 5 Experienced Pensions Professional Certificate, or EPPC, recognizes the role administration plays in delivering high-quality pensions. The qualification was developed with input from leading pensions administration company Aptia, which helped ensure the structure and content reflect the realities of modern administration.

Unlike traditional qualifications that rely on exams or coursework, the EPPC assesses competence through real-world evidence. Candidates build a portfolio demonstrating their expertise and impact, creating a workforce equipped to deliver better outcomes for savers. The PMI noted that this approach acknowledges the role administration plays in delivering high-quality pensions. The qualification is designed to give experienced professionals the recognition they deserve.

The PMI’s Chief Learning Officer, Vanessa Jackson, said administration is the backbone of the industry. She added that the EPPC recognises that expertise, giving experienced professionals the confidence to drive better outcomes for members. The PMI is hugely grateful to Aptia for their insight and collaboration in shaping this important qualification. Phil Wadsworth, Aptia’s Chief Actuary, said the EPPC represents a major step forward in the continued professionalisation of pensions administration. He noted that professional qualifications have an increasingly important role to play in ensuring the sector has the skills and expertise needed to meet future challenges.

David Fairs, Chair of the Pensions Administration Standards Association, said pensions administration sits at the heart of delivering good outcomes for savers. He added that investing in and recognising the people who perform these roles is critical. He welcomed initiatives which provide experienced pensions professionals with opportunities to gain formal recognition for the expertise they have developed throughout their careers. This recognition is intended to help raise standards, build capability and reinforce administration’s standing as a profession.

The launch aligns with the Government’s updated Pensions Roadmap, which calls for improved governance, transparency, and value for money. The PMI’s new qualification ensures the people delivering these reforms have the professionalism and capability to make them a success. The PMI sits on PASA’s Careers Working Group to secure alignment and buy-in for its expanding suite of administration qualifications. Work is already underway on a Level 6 administration qualification planned for release in Spring 2027.

This shift toward competency-based assessment mirrors broader trends in the insurance sector, where [robotics redefine risk and liability in insurance](https://business-analystic.xyz/robotics-insurance-risk.html) through similar evidence-based methods.