Scheme Booklets

The examinations are designed to test the competence of candidates in the calculation and communication of pension benefits for a range of scheme types. Depending on the examination being tested, there will be either five (5) or six (6) case studies (Calculation Section) and either one or two letters (Letter Section).

The examinations are based on three types of fictitious pension schemes:

Scheme	Type	Contracted-Out Status
OPQ	Money Purchase	Not Contracted Out
RST	Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE)	Not Contracted Out
XYZ	Final Salary	Contracted Out (Category A) until 5 April 2016 Not Contracted Out (Category B)

The examinations require candidates to provide evidence of their ability to:

Understand and interpret rules for different types of pension scheme
carry out manual calculations for a range of member events
Understand the impact of supplementary information (e.g. part-time service, enhanced accrual rates, transferred-in benefits, AVCs, etc.) on the core benefits payable
Understand legislative restrictions that apply to the level of benefits payable
Communicate benefit options fully and accurately and request all the information required before the scheme can pay the benefits

Copies of Scheme Booklets and Tables of Factors should be taken into the examinations. It is vital that candidates ensure they have the current versions, which are downloadable from this page by accessing the following links:

The OPQ Retirement and Death Benefit Plan Booklet (reviewed May 2020)
The RST Career Average Earnings Scheme Booklet (reviewed May 2020)
The XYZ Pension and Life Assurance Scheme Booklet (reviewed May 2020)
Table of Factors (reviewed May 2020)
Key Features (reviewed May 2020)