Career Suggestion

Pensions administrator

Pensions administrators handle the day-to-day running of pension schemes and life insurance policies.

Average salary (a year)

£23000.0 to £38000.0 (starter to experienced)

Typical hours (a week)

37.0 to 39.0 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends on shifts

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

College

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job.

Relevant subjects include:

  • business and administration
  • T Level in Finance

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
  • guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
  • search for courses|/find-a-course

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship like a Pensions Administrator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, or a Financial Services Administrator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Work

You could start as an assistant administrator and do training on the job with organisations like the Pensions Management Institute and the Chartered Insurance Institute .

Direct Application

You can apply directly for vacancies.

Employers will expect you to be:

  • good with numbers
  • confident using IT programs at work such as Outlook
  • able to communicate verbally and in writing

Previous experience in customer service, accounts or office work would also be helpful.

Further information

You can find more advice about working in pensions from Pension Careers.

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • customer service skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • maths knowledge
  • administration skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to sell products and services
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Day-to-day tasks

As a pensions administrator you could:

  • answer customer queries by email, phone or letter
  • use a computer system to check and update records
  • calculate the amount of money people will receive
  • process money paid towards a person's pension
  • transfer benefits from one pension to another
  • arrange the payment of pensions
  • keep up to date with pension and tax laws

Working environment

You could work in a contact centre or in an office.

You could further your career with a qualification in pensions administration or calculations.

With experience, you could become a:

  • team leader,
  • supervisor
  • pensions manager

With further study, you could qualify as a financial adviser.

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