Proposed New Qualification: the MSc in Sustainable Retirement

The Pensions Management Institute (PMI) and Imperial College London are setting out an holistic, longer term vision about the type of funding companies and people will be planning and requiring in the future to deliver a sustainable retirement; the types and kinds of qualities, training and skill-sets the people working in the retirement benefits industry will need; the investment strategies and projections that will need to be in place to make that achievable; the work/life balance that will be practical for those who have to work into their 60s and 70s and the types of long term healthcare arrangements will be required to support these aspirations.

This 2 year Masters programme will build upon the framework of the PMI’s Advanced Diploma in Retirement Provision. Those who complete the Masters degree will also be deemed to have met the qualification requirements for PMI Associateship.

  • Those who already possess the PMI Advanced Diploma in Retirement Provision will be able to complete the Masters degree more quickly and at reduced cost by progressing directly to the Electives (Year 2) stage of the programme.
  • Those who do not wish to follow this Masters route can still follow PMI’s existing Advanced Diploma in Retirement Provision which will remain in place.

The intensive nature of the Masters degree will allow for a quicker route to PMI Associateship whilst still covering the essential syllabus material.

Amongst, other things, the essential issues that will be considered will include:

  • How to supplement or replace State benefits?
  • How pensions need to be considered within a much wider employee benefit and retirement savings package, and where this will fit within an overall company management and governance structure?
  • How to deal with all of the issues around an ageing workforce and people living longer in retirement?
  • What lessons on financing for retirement can be imported from, or exported to, countries around the world

Benefits

For employers
  • Enabling new staff to obtain a directly relevant professional qualification focussed on employee benefits and retirement savings and a Masters degree at the same time
  • Obtaining highly qualified and trained staff more quickly
  • Assisting to attract and keep important staff members
  • Increasing credibility with clients on a wider range of business topics
  • Undertaking relevant research for business development projects within an academically rigorous environment
For new students
  • Obtaining the PMI’s Advanced Diploma in Retirement Provision and completion of the examination requirements of Associate membership of the PMI
  • Achieving this by active participation within shorter periods of intense and business related study rather than just by solely working via distance learning
  • Obtaining a Masters degree from one of the world’s leading universities that is directly vocationally relevant to the employee benefits and retirement savings profession
  • Obtaining new and more focussed knowledge of vital and relevant subject matter that will feed back into day to day working behaviors
  • Undertaking a significant piece of work related research with full academic rigour
  • Training in a variety of business related skills to enhance future career development
For qualified (or part qualified) PMI Members
  • Obtaining a Masters degree from one of the world’s leading universities that is directly vocationally relevant to the employee benefits and retirement savings profession more quickly as a direct benefit of existing PMI qualifications
  • Completing a degree more quickly and at a proportionately reduced cost
  • Obtaining new and more focussed knowledge of vital and relevant subject matter that will feed back into day to day working behaviors
  • Accessing the full range of membership benefits of Imperial College London (e.g. business lectures, library facilities,etc)
  • Increasing your competitive edge amongst peers, clients and allied professionals
  • Undertaking a significant piece of work related research with full academic rigour
  • Networking opportunities
  • Training in a variety of business related skills to enhance future career development