Pension Transfers (AF7)

This unit has been designed to focus on the main areas of the advice process for pension transfers, and to prepare students who intend to sit the AF7 Pension transfers examination. Commencing with regulatory and legislative matters upon which any advisory process must be based, the study text aims to build knowledge by taking students through the whole pension transfer advisory process. The chapters discuss the composition of defined benefit schemes and other safeguarded benefits, identifying the salient information that is required in preparation for giving advice. From the initial data gathering, subsequent chapters consider research and analysis, and how to pull all the elements together to provide suitable pension transfer advice solutions for clients.

The study text includes many helpful interactive activities to aid students with the learning process, not only through worked examples and revision questions, but by pointing to external sources which will help to provide context and additional learning opportunities. On completion of study candidates should have a thorough understanding of the issues and challenges facing both clients and advisers in this highly complex area of advice.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Certificate in Pension Transfer Advice has been withdrawn

Unit AF7 forms the CII Level 6 Award in Regulated Pension Transfer Advice for those passing the assessment from this date. Please go here for details of the CII’s changes in response to FCA announcements to pension transfers qualification requirements.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this unit, candidates will be able to use technical knowledge and analysis to:

1. Understand the fundamental aspects of the pension transfer process;
2. Understand the key issues that should be taken into account when advising on the suitability or otherwise of transferring pension benefits;
3. Advise on pension transfers in a range of client specific circumstances and scenarios.

Please note: It is assumed that the candidate already has the knowledge gained from a study of Pensions and Retirement Planning (R04) and Pension Income Options (J05) or equivalent.

Assessment

• 2 hour exam
• 3-4 written short answer questions, 2 case study based questions
• The standard pass mark is 60% (for more information on standard pass marks please see here)
• The 2025 pass rate for this unit was 53.66%

Units treated as equivalent

Due to the extent of syllabus overlap, certain combinations of current and withdrawn units will result in only one award of CII credits.

If a withdrawn equivalent is held you may not need to complete a current unit in order to satisfy a qualification's completion rules. Clarification should always be sought from CII Customer Service.

Find out more about CII credit awards for equivalent units

Course delivery

Instructions on accessing your course on RevisionMate will be sent to your registered email address. This is typically within two working days of your order being placed, but may be longer, particularly if payment is made by bank transfer or the unit is available as a pre-order.