Pathways Learner Support Materials
Important information
The learning materials are updated each year and the available material is relevant for all 2025 exams.
The online material is based on the syllabus from the previous financial year, meaning the 2025 exams will be based on practice as it existed as at 5 April 2024, unless stated otherwise.
*Please note, that for the CU3 exam unit, the learning material is currently being updated and will be uploaded shortly*
The following units will be assessed via short answer questions only. The multiple choice questions (MCQ) have been removed and will no longer form part of the question paper.
Core Unit 1A
Core Unit 1B
Core Unit 2
Core Unit 3
Core Unit 4
The other units of:
Defined Benefit Arrangements
Defined Contribution Arrangements
Reward and Retirement Provision
Managing International Employee Benefits
Professionalism and Governanace
will be examinied in the normal way.
You will not be able to take this exam, or any part of it, without a workable webcam/video attached to the device you will be using to input answers for your exam
Core Unit 1A
CORE UNIT 1A - UNDERSTANDING RETIREMENT PROVISION
The aim of the unit is to provide an introductory overview of retirement provision in the UK including an appreciation of:
- how workplace pensions have developed, the different types of workplace provision and how they sit alongside State pension provision
- the key features of automatic enrolment, trust and contract-based provision
- the roles and responsibilities of those involved in running workplace pensions
- personal savings and the options for retirement saving
- employee engagement with retirement provision.
Below are your Revision Assignments for this unit, and a Study Timetable so that you can effectively plan your revision time.
We have now included the Assignment Notes, which are in effect the answer guides to your assignments so that you can 'self-check' your responses.
You are equally allowed to send your completed assignments to the PMI for marking, guidance or clarification to:
PMIqualifications@pensions-pmi.org.uk
Once received we can pass this onto one of our tutors and they will get back in touch within 10 working days.
We provide the Assignments, Notes, (and Study Timetable), purely as aids to your revision - they will not constitute any element of your final mark.
Core unit 1B
CORE UNIT 1B - FOUNDATION IN INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
The aim of the unit is to provide an introduction to the following issues:
- The different employee benefits in an international context and the different ways these are designed, delivered, funded, communicated and administered around the world
- The respective roles of stakeholders involved in the provision of international employee benefits
- Pensions and employee benefit provision in France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, the UK, the USA and Switzerland and a regional overview of Europe and North America to highlight the different practices of employee benefit provision
- The legal and regulatory influences of the European Union on pensions/employee benefit design and financing
Learning materials for this course will be sent to you via email once your booking has been made.
Below are your Revision Assignments for this unit, and a Study Timetable so that you can effectively plan your revision time.
We have now included the Assignment Notes, which are in effect the answer guides to your assignments so th
at you can 'self-check' your responses.
You are equally allowed to send your completed assignments to the PMI for marking, guidance or clarification to: PMIqualifications@pensions-pmi.org.uk
Once received we can pass this onto one of our tutors and they will get back in touch within 10 working days.
We provide the Assignments, Notes, (and Study Timetable), purely as aids to your revision - they will not constitute any element of your final mark.
Core Unit 2
CORE UNIT 2 - REGULATION OF RETIREMENT PROVISION
The aim of this unit is to provide an overview of the regulation of retirement provision in the UK including an appreciation of:
- legal and taxation aspects
- compliance with regulation and where administrators need to focus on compliance issues
- the bodies responsible for defining, monitoring and oversight
- how the employee is supported by the financial services industry
- current issues.
Below are your Revision Assignments for this unit, and a Study Timetable so that you can effectively plan your revision time.
We have now included the Assignment Notes, which are in effect the answer guides to your assignments so that you can 'self-check' your responses.
You are equally allowed to send your completed assignments to the PMI for marking, guidance or clarification to:
PMIqualifications@pensions-pmi.org.uk
Once received we can pass this onto one of our tutors and they will get back in touch within 10 working days.
We provide the Assignments, Notes, (and Study Timetable), purely as aids to your revision - they will not constitute any element of your final mark.
Core Unit 3
CORE UNIT 3 – RUNNING A WORKPLACE PENSION SCHEME
The aim of his unit is to provide an overview of the requirements of running a workplace pension scheme, including an appreciation of:
- the implications of the tax and regulatory regimes that apply to workplace pensions
- scheme administration, payroll and financial administration
- the importance of data and data protection
- the calculation and payment of benefits
- the role of technology
Below are your Revision Assignments for this unit, and a Study Timetable so that you can effectively plan your revision time.
We have now included the Assignment Notes, which are in effect the answer guides to your assignments so that you can 'self-check' your responses.
You are equally allowed to send your completed assignments to the PMI for marking, guidance or clarification to:
PMIqualifications@pensions-pmi.org.uk
Once received we can pass this onto one of our tutors and they will get back in touch within 10 working days.
We provide the Assignments, Notes, (and Study Timetable), purely as aids to your revision - they will not constitute any element of your final mark.
Core Unit 4
CORE UNIT 4 - FINANCING AND INVESTING FOR RETIREMENT PROVISION
The aim of this unit is to provide an overview of how employers and employees pay for workplace pensions and distinguishing between defined benefit and defined contribution arrangements and including an appreciation of:
- the factors which will influence the funding strategy, including the taxation regime
- risk appreciation and management
- financial regulation
- accounting and tax issues
- investment, investment management, investment strategy and governance
Below are your Revision Assignments for this unit, and a Study Timetable so that you can effectively plan your revision time.
We have now included the Assignment Notes, which are in effect the answer guides to your assignments so that you can 'self-check' your responses.
You are equally allowed to send your completed assignments to the PMI for marking, guidance or clarification to:
PMIqualifications@pensions-pmi.org.uk
Once received we can pass this onto one of our tutors and they will get back in touch within 10 working days.
We provide the Assignments, Notes, (and Study Timetable), purely as aids to your revision - they will not constitute any element of your final mark.
Defined Benefit Arrangements
DEFINED BENEFIT ARRANGEMENTS
The aim of the unit is to provide an in depth understanding of trust-based defined benefit (DB) arrangements, building on and utilising the knowledge gained in the core units and applying it in a variety of scenarios, recognising the requirements of different stakeholders.
Defined Benefit Arrangements Study Manual
Below are your Revision Assignments for this unit, and a Study Timetable so that you can effectively plan your revision time.
We have now included the Assignment Notes, which are in effect the answer guides to your assignments so that you can 'self-check' your responses.
You are equally allowed to send your completed assignments to the PMI for marking, guidance or clarification to:
PMIqualifications@pensions-pmi.org.uk
Once received we can pass this onto one of our tutors and they will get back in touch within 10 working days.
We provide the Assignments, Notes, (and Study Timetable), purely as aids to your revision - they will not constitute any element of your final mark.
Defined Benefit Arrangements Assignment 1 Defined Benefit Arrangements Assignment 1 notes
Defined Benefit Arrangements Assignment 2 Defined Benefit Arrangements Assignment 2 notes
Defined Benefit Arrangements Assignment 3 Defined Benefit Arrangements Assignment 3 notes
Defined Benefit Arrangements Assignment 4 Defined Benefit Arrangements Assignment 4 notes
Defined Benefit Arrangements Mock Exam Defined Benefit Arrangements Assignment Mock Exam notes
Defined Contribution Arrangements
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS
The aim of the unit is to provide an in depth understanding of trust and contract-based DC arrangements, building on and utilising the knowledge they have gained in the core units to show that they can apply this in a variety of scenarios and recognising the requirements of different stakeholders.
Defined Contribution Arrangements Study Manual
Below are your Revision Assignments for this unit, and a Study Timetable so that you can effectively plan your revision time.
We have now included the Assignment Notes, which are in effect the answer guides to your assignments so that you can 'self-check' your responses.
You are equally allowed to send your completed assignments to the PMI for marking, guidance or clarification to:
PMIqualifications@pensions-pmi.org.uk
Once received we can pass this onto one of our tutors and they will get back in touch within 10 working days.
We provide the Assignments, Notes, (and Study Timetable), purely as aids to your revision - they will not constitute any element of your final mark.
Defined Contribution Arrangements Assignment 1 Defined Contribution Arrangements Assignment 1 notes
Defined Contribution Arrangements Assignment 2 Defined Contribution Arrangements Assignment 2 notes
Defined Contribution Arrangements Assignment 3 Defined Contribution Arrangements Assignment 3 notes
Defined Contribution Arrangements Assignment 4 Defined Contribution Arrangements Assignment 4 notes
Defined Contribution Arrangements Mock Exam Defined Contribution Arrangements Mock Exam notes
Reward and Retirement Provision
REWARD AND RETIREMENT PROVISION
The aim of the unit is to provide an understanding of the main employee benefits, their value, cost structures, taxation implications and how they interact with saving for retirement. To include appreciation of:
- the employee and employer perspectives
- rewards strategies
- communication and engagement
Reward and Retirement Provision Manual
Below are your Revision Assignments for this unit, and a Study Timetable so that you can effectively plan your revision time.
We have now included the Assignment Notes, which are in effect the answer guides to your assignments so that you can 'self-check' your responses.
You are equally allowed to send your completed assignments to the PMI for marking, guidance or clarification to:
PMIqualifications@pensions-pmi.org.uk
Once received we can pass this onto one of our tutors and they will get back in touch within 10 working days.
We provide the Assignments, Notes, (and Study Timetable), purely as aids to your revision - they will not constitute any element of your final mark.
Reward & Retirement Provision Assignment 1 Reward & Retirement Provision Assignment 1 notes
Reward & Retirement Provision Assignment 2 Reward & Retirement Provision Assignment 2 notes
Reward & Retirement Provision Assignment 3 Reward & Retirement Provision Assignment 3 notes
Reward & Retirement Provision Assignment 4 Reward & Retirement Provision Assignment 4 notes
Reward & Retirement Provision Mock Exam Reward & Retirement Provision Assignment Mock Exam notes
Managing International Employee Benefits
MANAGING INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
(Applying the Principles Covered in Foundation in International Benefits)
The aim is to build on the material covered in International 1: Foundation in International Employee Benefits (Core Unit 1b) to develop an understanding of the following issues:
- The employee benefit objectives of a multinational company
- The funding and risk management aspects of providing employee benefits
- Management of risk benefits
- Pensions and employee benefit provision in Brazil, China, India and Russia and a regional overview of Africa, Asia and Latin America to highlight the different practices of pensions and employee benefit provision
- Benefits for internationally mobile employees
- The employee benefit implications of mergers and acquisitions
- Trends in employee benefit provision
Learning materials for this course will be sent to you via email once your booking has been made.
Below are your Revision Assignments for this unit, and a Study Timetable so that you can effectively plan your revision time.
We have now included the Assignment Notes, which are in effect the answer guides to your assignments so that you can 'self-check' your responses.
You are equally allowed to send your completed assignments to the PMI for marking, guidance or clarification to:
PMIQualifications@pensions-pmi.org.uk
Once received we can pass this onto one of our tutors and they will get back in touch within 10 working days.
We provide the Assignments, Notes, (and Study Timetable), purely as aids to your revision - they will not constitute any element of your final mark.
Professionalism and Governance
Professionalism and Governance
The aim of the unit is to provide candidates with:
- an understanding of the importance of professionalism and ethics
- the importance of continuing their own professional development
- an appreciation of risk and governance issues as they apply to pension schemes
- the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to apply risk and governance principles in a practical situation
- evidence that they can communicate their knowledge in a way that is relevant to their audience
Below are your Revision Assignments for this unit, and a Study Timetable so that you can effectively plan your revision time.
We have now included the Assignment Notes, which are in effect the answer guides to your assignments so that you can 'self-check' your responses.
You are equally allowed to send your completed assignments to the PMI for marking, guidance or clarification to:
PMIqualifications@pensions-pmi.org.ukk
Once received we can pass this onto one of our tutors and they will get back in touch within 10 working days.
We provide the Assignments, Notes, (and Study Timetable), purely as aids to your revision - they will not constitute any element of your final mark.
Professionalism Assignment 1 Professionalism Assignment 1 notes
Professionalism Assignment 2 Professionalism Assignment 2 notes
Governance Assignment 1 Governance Assignment 1 Notes
Governance Assignment 2 Governance Assignment 2 notes
Professionalism and Governance Mock Exam
Professionalism and Governance Mock Exam notes
Downloadable Version of the Manuals
This is an easy access page in case you weish to download any of the Study Manuals for printing.
Current versions of the Study Manuals (for examination from Spring 2024)
Defined Benefit Arrangements-Study Manual
Defined Contribution Arrangements Study Manual
Reward and Retirement Provision Manual
Past Papers
Below are the past papers from the last years' sittings of each exam. The multiple choice questions sections have been removed as these are still 'live' questions and may appear in future versions of the exam.
Earlier versions of the exam papers can be found on the PMI website www.pensions-pmi.org.uk
April 2024
Defined Benefit Arrangements - April 2024
Defined Contribution Arrangements - April 2024
Reward and Retirement Provision - April 2024
Managing International Employee Benefits - April 2024
Professionalism and Governance - April 2024
October 2023
Defined Benefit Arrangements - October 2023
Defined Contribution Arrangements - October 2023
Professionalism and Governance - October 2023
April 2023
Defined Benefit Arrangements - April 2023
Defined Contribution Arrangements - April 2023
Taxation, Retail Investment and Pensions - April 2023
Reward and Retirement Provision - April 2023
Managing Intenational Employee Benefits - April 2023
Professionalism and Governance - April 2023
October 2022
Defined Benefit Arrangements - October 2022
Defined Contribution Arrangements - October 2022
Taxation, Retail investment and Pensions (TRIP) - October 2022
Retail Advice and Regulation - October 2022
Professionalism and Governance - October 2022
April 2022
Defined Benefit Arrangements - April 2022
Defined Contribution Arrangements - April 2022
Taxation, Retail Investment and Pensions - April 2022
Retail Advice and Regulation - April 2022
Managing International Employee Benefits - April 2022
Reward and Retirement Provision - April 2022
Professionalism and Governance - April 2022
October 2021
Defined Benefit Arrangements - October 2021
Defined Contribution Arrangements - October 2021
Taxation, Retail Investment and Pensions - October 2021
Retail Advice and Regulation - October 2021
Professionalism and Governance - October 2021
April 2021
Defined Benefit Arrangements - April 2021
Defined Contribution Arrangements - April 2021
Taxation, Retail Investment and Pensions - April 2021
Retail Advice and Regulation - April 2021
Reward and Retirement Provision - April 2021
Managing International Employee Benefits - April 2021
Professionalism and Governance - April 2021
October 2020
Defined Benefit Arrangements - October 2020
Defined Contribution Arrangements - October 2020
Taxation, Retail Investment and Pensions - October 2020
Retail Advice and Regulation - October 2020
Reward and Retirement Provision - October 2020
Managing International Employee Benefits - October 2020
Professionalism and Governance - October 2020
October 2019
Defined Benefit Arrangements - October 2019
Defined Contribution Arrangements - October 2019
Taxation, Retail Investment and Pensions - October 2019
Professionalism and Governance - October 2019
April 2019
Defined Benefit Arrangements - April 2019
Defined Contribution Arrangements - April 2019
Reward and Retirement Provision - April 2019
Examiners Reports
Below are the Examiners Reports from each sitting of modules since 2016.
Spring 2024
Consolidated Examiners Report - Spring 2024
Autumn 2023
Consolidated Examiners Report - Autumn 2023 - All Modules
Core Unit 4 Examiner Report Autumn 2023
Spring 2023
Consolidated Examiner's Report - Spring 2023 - All Modules
Autumn 2022
CU1A Examiner's Report - Autumn 2022.
CU1B Examiner's Report - Autumn 2022
CU2 Examiner's Report - Autumn 2022
CU3 Examiner's Report - Autumn 2022
CU4 Examiners Report - Autumn 2022 (Moderators Comments)
Defined Benefit Arrangements Examiner's Report - Autumn 2022
Deined Contribution Arrangements Examiner's Report - Autumn 2022
Professionalim & Governance Examiner's Report - Autumn 2022
Spring 2022
CU1A Examiner's Report Spring 2022
CU1B Examiner's Report Spring 2022
CU2 Examiner's Report Spring 2022
CU3 Examiner's Report Spring 2022
CU4 Examiners Report - Spring 2022 (Moderators Comments)
Defined Benefit Arrangements Examiner's Report Spring 2022
Defined Contribution Arrangements Examiner's Report Spring 2022
Reward and Retirement Provision Examiner's Report - Spring 2022
Professionalism and Governance Examiner's Report Spring 2022
October 2021
CU1A Examiner's Report October 2021
CU1B Examiner's Report - October 2021
CU2 Examiner's Report October 2021
CU3 Examiner's Report October 2021
CU4 Examiner's Report - October 2021
Defined Benefit Arrangements Examiners Report October 2021
Defined Contribution Arrangements Examiner's Report October 2021
Professionalism and Governance Examiner's Report October 2021
April 2021
CU1a Examiner Report Spring 2021
CU1b Examiners Report Spring 2021
CU2 Examiners Report Spring 2021
CU3 Examiners Report Spring 2021
Defined Benefit Arrangements Examiners report Spring 2021
Defined Contribution Arrangements Examiners Report Spring 2021
Reward and Retirement Provision Examiners Report Spring 2021
Managing International Employee Benefits Examiners Report Spring 2021
Professionalism and Governance Examiners Report Spring 2021
October 2020
Reward and Retirement Provision October 2020
Managing International Employee Benefits October 2020
Professionalism and Governance October 2020
October 2019
Defined Benefit Arrangements October 2019
Defined Contribution Arrangements October 2019
Professionalism and Governance October 2019
April 2019
Defined Benefit Arrangements April 2019
Defined Contribution Arrangements April 2019
Managing International Employee Benefits Examiners Report
Professionalism and Governance April 2019
Examiners Board Reports
Examiners Board Reports stopped in 2019 in deference to individual module reporting.
Study Skills
What are Study Skills
Study skills are the skills you need to enable you to study and learn efficiently – they are an important set of transferable life skills.
Our pages (see the link below) provide generic study skills advice – appropriate to learners across all disciplines and in different life circumstances: employed students, those returning to education later in life, those engaged in professional development and anybody who wants to learn how to learn effectively.
We are constantly being asked to provide guidance to our students in how to take an effective approach to their studies and learning, and have now produced this series of seperate pages that enable you to 'dip in and dip out' of the areas you need help with. Please do not look at this website and think you have to read/review it from start to finish (unless you really want to?) - it is simply an aid to help you in areas where you need guidance i.e. answering multiple choice questions or how to write longer answers or an essay. It also provides you with information on what type of learner you are and as a result what is the best approach for you to study.
Finally there is a section on looking after you, and your mental health as an important overview on adjusting to the balance of work and study, or studying 'whilst everything else is still happening'.
Key points about study skills:
- You will develop your own personal approach to study and learning in a way that meets your own individual needs. As you develop your study skills you will discover what works for you, and what doesn’t.
- Study skills are not subject specific - they are generic and can be used when studying any area. You will, of course, need to understand the concepts, theories and ideas surrounding your specific subject area. To get the most out of your studies, however, you’ll want to develop your study skills.
- You need to practise and develop your study skills. This will increase your awareness of how you study and you’ll become more confident. Once mastered, study skills will be beneficial throughout your life.
- Study skills are not just for students. Study skills are transferable - you will take them with you beyond your education into new contexts. For example, organisational skills, time management, prioritising, learning how to analyse, problem solving, and the self-discipline that is required to remain motivated.
Study skills relate closely to the type of skills that employers look for.
Click here:
PMI Study Skills - Tips, Techniques and Learner Wellbeing
Student Submission
We are always striving to do our best and provide the best service to you, our learners, as we can.
If you seen any errors on this site, or any errors in the learning materials then please details these and send them to:
PMIqualifications@pensions-pmi.org.uk
We will endeavour to rectify them as quickly as possible, and will send you an email when they have been.
Dr Keith Hoodless
Director of Lifelong Learning and Qualifications
PMI