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The objective of this unit is to develop knowledge and understanding of and ability to analyse pension and retirement planning issues.
Download 2018/19 syllabus (PDF)
Download 2018/19 exam guide (PDF)
Download 2019/20 syllabus (PDF)
Download 2019/20 exam guide (PDF)
Recommended study hours: 50 (will vary depending on your experience and ability)
Improve your chances of exam success with Enrolment plus and receive extra R04 revision aids with your enrolment.
Save while you study: Members and non-members save £64 purchasing extra revision aids with Enrolment plus.
By purchasing the ‘Printed and digital’ option, you will incur an additional charge for postage and packaging:
£7 per order: UK, Channel Isles, Isle of Man, Republic of Ireland, Malta and Gibraltar.
£15 per order: All other countries.
For more information on Digital-only options, please visit: 'Digital Only' FAQ's
Included in your Enrolment plus:
Study text
Developed to assist you in understanding and learning the exam syllabus, the study text breaks down the syllabus into concise sections, with each chapter containing clearly defined learning outcomes and a series of self-test questions.
A printable PDF and ebook of the study text are available on RevisionMate. Access is only available during your enrolment period. Online updates to the study text will also be made available (further details are included on the title page of the study text).
Printable PDF
PDFs can be opened and printed with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download from http://www.adobe.com). You can also view a PDF on most portable electronic devices including Android tablets/smart phones, Kindles and iPads/iPhones.
It is strongly recommended that you:
ebook
ebooks are compatible with most portable electronic devices including Android tablets/smart phones, Kindles and iPads/iPhones. They can also be viewed on desktop and laptop computers using appropriate EPUB/Kindle reader software (required).
ebooks are not PDF files and cannot be printed. The reading experience will depend on the portable device used or the reading software installed, if viewed on a computer.
To check that the file formats are compatible with your device/chosen e-reader software, click on the link to download a sample: Free sample chapters.
Printed copy of the study text
If you would like a printed copy of the study text, please select the ‘Printed and digital’ option, which will incur postage and packaging charges:
RevisionMate
You will have access to an unrivalled suite of online services to support your studies through our RevisionMate study tool. Access is only available during your enrolment period.
Support typically includes a study planner, a knowledge check (multiple-choice test) facility covering each chapter, student discussion forum and the latest examination guide.
Exam entry
Exams can be booked at the point of enrolment or at a later date.
Key facts booklet
Summarising the key information contained in the study text, a key facts booklet is perfect for studying when travelling to and from work or in situations when reading a study text is impractical.
A printable PDF and ebook of the key facts booklet are available on RevisionMate. Please note that access is only available during your enrolment period. The guidelines for the study text ebook and printable PDF also apply for the key facts
This product will be added to your RevisionMate account within 2 working days of purchasing.
Printed copy of the key facts booklet
If you would like a printed copy of the key facts booklet, please select the ‘Printed and digital’ option, which will incur postage and packaging charges:
Question pack 1
Delivered online through RevisionMate, question pack 1 contain 300 questions and provide comprehensive, flexible and interactive self-testing of the unit syllabus. Question feedback is provided in the form of a chapter reference to the specific areas being tested in the official CII study text for this unit.
Access is only available during your enrolment period.
Instructions on how to access question pack 1 will be sent to your registered email address within two working days of your order being placed.
Please note, question packs are not past papers. While questions are designed to test knowledge of the unit syllabus in preparation for the exam, they are not a product of the same development process as the actual CII examination question bank.
Learn interactive tutorial
Online tutorial providing highly interactive study, backed by an assessment tool to check understanding as you progress with your studies.
Please note:
Minimum system requirements:
Audio revision
Audio downloads provide an ideal way to reinforce the learning from the study text. They cover the key elements of each subject and last around 3–5 hours, depending on the subject. Produced by The Patterson Group.
Access is only available during your enrolment period but downloaded files will never expire.
Instructions on how to download your audio material will be sent to your registered email address within 2 working days of your order being placed.
Included in your Enrolment:
Study text
Developed to assist you in understanding and learning the exam syllabus, the study text breaks down the syllabus into concise sections, with each chapter containing clearly defined learning outcomes and a series of self-test questions.
A printable PDF and ebook of the study text are available on RevisionMate. Access is only available during your enrolment period. Online updates to the study text will also be made available (further details are included on the title page of the study text).
Printable PDF
PDFs can be opened and printed with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download from http://www.adobe.com). You can also view a PDF on most portable electronic devices including Android tablets/smart phones, Kindles and iPads/iPhones.
It is strongly recommended that you:
ebook
ebooks are compatible with most portable electronic devices including Android tablets/smart phones, Kindles and iPads/iPhones. They can also be viewed on desktop and laptop computers using appropriate EPUB/Kindle reader software (required).
ebooks are not PDF files and cannot be printed. The reading experience will depend on the portable device used or the reading software installed, if viewed on a computer.
To check that the file formats are compatible with your device/chosen e-reader software, click on the link to download a sample: Free sample chapters.
Printed copy of the study text
If you would like a printed copy of the study text, please select the ‘Printed and digital’ option, which will incur postage and packaging charges:
RevisionMate
You will have access to an unrivalled suite of online services to support your studies through our RevisionMate study tool. Access is only available during your enrolment period.
Support typically includes a study planner, a knowledge check (multiple-choice test) facility covering each chapter, student discussion forum and the latest examination guide.
Exam entry
Exams can be booked at the point of enrolment or at a later date.
We offer the option for you to upgrade from Enrolment to Enrolment plus, which provides you with the revision aids available for this unit.
Upgrading to Enrolment plus does not extend the expiry date of your current Enrolment. If you do not have the most up-to-date edition of the study text you will need to apply for study text renewal before upgrading to Enrolment plus. Please contact Customer Service to arrange this. We’d also encourage you to review the contents of the Enrolment plus package and check if you have already purchased some or all of the revision aids it contains before proceeding.
Key facts booklet
Summarising the key information contained in the study text, a key facts booklet is perfect for studying when travelling to and from work or in situations when reading a study text is impractical.
A printable PDF and ebook of the key facts booklet are available on RevisionMate. Please note that access is only available during your enrolment period.
This product will be added to your RevisionMate account within 2 working days of purchasing.
PDFs can be opened and printed with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download from http://www.adobe.com). You can also view a PDF on most portable electronic devices including Android tablets/smart phones, Kindles and iPads/iPhones.
It is strongly recommended that you:
ebook
ebooks are compatible with most portable electronic devices including Android tablets/smart phones, Kindles and iPads/iPhones. They can also be viewed on desktop and laptop computers using appropriate EPUB/Kindle reader software (required).
ebooks are not PDF files and cannot be printed. The reading experience will depend on the portable device used or the reading software installed, if viewed on a computer.
To check that the file formats are compatible with your device/chosen e-reader software, click on the link to download a sample: Free sample chapters.
Printed copy of the key facts booklet
If you would like a printed copy of the key facts booklet, please select the ‘Printed and digital’ option, which will incur postage and packaging charges:
Key facts booklet
Summarising the key information contained in the study text, a key facts booklet is perfect for studying when travelling to and from work or in situations when reading a study text is impractical.
A printable PDF and ebook of the key facts booklet are available on RevisionMate. Please note that access is only available during your enrolment period.
Printable PDF
PDFs can be opened and printed with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download from http://www.adobe.com). You can also view a PDF on most portable electronic devices including Android tablets/smart phones, Kindles and iPads/iPhones.
It is strongly recommended that you:
ebook
ebooks are compatible with most portable electronic devices including Android tablets/smart phones, Kindles and iPads/iPhones. They can also be viewed on desktop and laptop computers using appropriate EPUB/Kindle reader software (required).
ebooks are not PDF files and cannot be printed. The reading experience will depend on the portable device used or the reading software installed, if viewed on a computer.
To check that the file formats are compatible with your device/chosen e-reader software, click on the link to download a sample: Free sample chapters.
Delivered online through RevisionMate, packs contain 300 questions and provide comprehensive, flexible and interactive self-testing of the unit syllabus. Question feedback is provided in the form of a chapter reference to the specific areas being tested in the official CII study text for this unit.
Note: Two packs are available for this unit - each contains different sets of questions.
Access to the course will not be granted after 31 Aug 2020.
Instructions on how to access the online question pack will be sent to your registered email address within two working days of your order being placed.
Please note, these are not past papers. While questions are designed to test knowledge of the unit syllabus in preparation for the exam, they are not a product of the same development process as the actual CII examination question bank.
Non-EU candidates should note: if buying this option from outside the EU, you will be charged a fee without VAT. The price you will see throughout the web checkout process will be inclusive of VAT, however if you are outside the EU, your card will be charged the 'ex VAT' price and this will be reflected in the receipt you receive when payment is complete.
Delivered via RevisionMate, this online tutorial provides highly interactive study, backed by an assessment tool to check understanding as you progress with your studies.
Please note:
Minimum system requirements:
Operating system: Windows/MacOS/Android/iOS devices.
Web browser: Latest versions of IE/Safari/Firefox/Chrome.
Computer/laptop users: Latest version of Adobe Flash player.
Non-EU candidates should note: if buying this option from outside the EU, you will be charged a fee without VAT. The price you will see throughout the web checkout process will be inclusive of VAT, however if you are outside the EU, your card will be charged the 'ex VAT' price and this will be reflected in the receipt you receive when payment is complete.
Audio downloads provide an ideal way to reinforce the learning from the study text. They cover the key elements of each subject and last around 3–5 hours, depending on the subject. Produced by The Patterson Group.
Please note: this edition is applicable to exams sat from 01 Sep 2019 to 31 Aug 2020 and access to the audio course will not be granted after 31 Aug 2020 but downloaded files will never expire.
Non-EU candidates should note: if buying this option from outside the EU, you will be charged a fee without VAT. The price you will see throughout the web checkout process will be inclusive of VAT, however if you are outside the EU, your card will be charged the 'ex VAT' price and this will be reflected in the receipt you receive when payment is complete.
We offer the option for you to extend the life of your enrolment once your course has expired and receive the next edition of the study text together with electronic updates. This option is renewable on an annual basis.
If you would like a printed copy of the study text, please select the ‘Printed and digital’ option, which will incur postage and packaging charges:
We offer the option for you to extend the life of your enrolment once your course has expired and receive the next edition of the study text together with electronic updates. This option is renewable on an annual basis.
These updates are Learning Solutions updates for study purposes.
2019-20 edition
To view a list of the main areas of change in the 2019-20 edition, please click here
2018-19 edition
To view a list of the main areas of change in the 2018-19 edition, please click here.
Study text updates
R04_2018-19_web_update_5_29_03-2019
R04_2018-19_web_update_4_22_03-2019
R04_2018-19_web_update_3_01_03-2019
R04_2018-19_web_update_2_07_01-2019
R04_2018-19_web_update_1_20_09-2018
Chancellor's Budget/Statement and tax tables updates for 2018-19 edition:
Chancellor's Budget/Statement and tax tables updates for 2019-20 edition:
Other information:
Financial services current editions
Testing Position
Tax year
The tax year 2017/2018 will be examined from 1 September 2017 until 31 August 2018.
MiFID II
MiFID II comes into effect on 3 January 2018 and examinations will be reflective of the directive from 3 April 2018. Questions will be tested on the non-MiFID position unless otherwise stated.
EU referendum
On 23 June 2016, the UK voted to leave the European Union (EU).
The UK Government invoked 'Article 50' of the Lisbon Treaty on 29 March 2017. In doing so, the two-year negotiation period which will result in Britain leaving the EU began. This means that, at the time of publication, the UK's membership of the EU will cease on 29 March 2019.
Until this final 'withdrawal agreement' is entered into, the UK will continue to be a full member of the EU, compliant with all current rules and regulations, and firms must continue to abide by their obligations under UK law, including those derived from the EU, and continue with the implementation of all legislation that is still to come into effect.
The longer term impact of the decision to leave the EU on the UK's overall regulatory framework will depend, in part, on the relationship agreed between the UK Government and the EU to replace the UK's current membership at the end of the 'Article 50' negotiation period.
Please note: The UK decision to leave the European Union will have no impact on the 2017- 2018 CII syllabuses or exams. Changes that may affect future exam syllabuses will be announced as they arise.
Money Purchase Annual Allowance
The Government has announced that the second 2017 Finance Bill to be introduced in the autumn will legislate for policies, such as the reduction of the Money Purchase Annual Allowance (MPAA), that have already been announced as applying from the start of the tax year 2017/2018. The dates of application will be retained and applied as originally announced. Examinations from the 1 September 2017 onwards will, therefore, test on the basis that the reduced MPAA applies for the 2017/2018 tax year.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into effect on 25 May 2018. Examinations will be reflective of GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 from 25 May 2018.
Stamp Duty Land Tax
On the 22 November 2017, it was announced that first-time buyers would be relieved of Stamp Duty Land Tax for purchases up to a specified amount. Examinations will be reflected of this change from 22 February 2018.
Please note that the tax tables and lender’s criteria provided in the examination will state the thresholds and rates for purchasers who are NOT first-time buyers.
The R04 Examination Guide for exams from 1 September 2018 to 31 August 2019 was first published in June 2017. Any questions which have been amended since the examination guide was first published will appear below.
