Pensions  

KPMG’s Pensions team provides a range of pensions services to large-scale organisations and pension funds. We operate in a fast-moving sector that calls for a multidisciplinary and far-sighted approach to critical business issues.

The word 'pensions' may conjure up images of retiring and taking things easy, but a career in this demanding sector is anything but sedate. For many major organisations, a prudent pensions strategy is increasingly recognised as one of the cornerstones of financial health. Very much a hot topic in public debate, the pensions industry has been the subject of particular governmental scrutiny and new legislation in recent times. All of this adds up to a high-profile area of our business whose services are in growing demand.

What services do we offer clients?

The work of our Pensions team varies enormously. As a graduate on the team, you can expect to be involved in activities that include:

• advising clients on their pensions strategy

• helping to manage schemes and legislative changes

• tailoring individual plans for senior executives

• designing and helping to implement employee communication programmes

• domestic and international transactions advice

• providing investment advisory services.

What career paths are available in this business area?

There are three distinct routes to explore within Pensions.

If you train to be an advisor, you can study to become an Associate of the Pensions Management Institute (PMI). The work you will be involved in is extremely varied, and depends on the area you choose to focus on. Typical projects could include:

• strategic advice on the design and implementation of defined contribution pension arrangements

• helping clients select and negotiate terms for the running of their defined contribution pension arrangements 

• helping with pension scheme management, set up, operation and restructuring

• the effect of legislative changes on pension schemes

• designing and helping to implement employee communication programmes.

Please note that this option is available in the London and Birmingham offices only. If you are interested in applying for this area, please indicate this on the Career Motivation section of your application form.

If you choose to train to be an actuary, you can study to become a Fellow of the Faculty or Institute of Actuaries. You will be involved in many of the same activities as trainee advisors, but also have the opportunity to provide actuarial advice on:

• valuations, transfer values and pension scheme funding

• pensions issues arising from domestic and international company sales, acquisitions, mergers and management buy-outs

• risk analyses and asset liability modelling to help ensure that schemes are able to meet their future liabilities.

You can also train to be an administrator, which involves keeping accurate administration records and forming close relationships with clients and trustees. You will usually study for the Pensions Management Institute (PMI) qualification.