Increase your knowledge and understanding with the Trustee toolkit, our free online learning programme for pension trustees.
Trustee toolkit online learning
We provide a free online learning programme called the Trustee toolkit which you should complete, unless you arrange the equivalent learning. You must login or sign up to use the Trustee toolkit.
Toolkit programme
The programme is split into separate modules designed to enable you to dip in and out of the content, and learn at your own pace. The essential learning is tailored to your own scheme type and size, and there are downloadable resources meaning that you can study offline. There are also optional additional learning modules to expand your knowledge and understanding.
Each module contains:
- an elearning module split into scenarios and tutorials
- an assessment to prove you have learned what you need
- other activities such as a 'check your scheme' worksheet, to help you apply the learning to your own scheme, and case examples which bring the learning to life
The elearning module follows a fictional trustee board through various scenarios as they make decisions regarding the day-to-day running of their scheme. As you work through the scenarios you have the opportunity to learn more about the topic at hand by completing a technical tutorial. You can also just work through the tutorials if you prefer.
Toolkit modules
The core modules cover each of the items listed in our trustee knowledge and understanding guidance.
You only need to pass the modules that are relevant for your size and type of scheme to complete the essential learning section of your development record and you can study whenever it suits you.
| Module | What the module covers: | Study time in hours | Schemes the module is relevant to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introducing pension schemes | Occupational pensions and how they are run | 1 hr | All schemes |
| The trustee's role | What it's like to become a trustee, attending board meetings, duties, powers and protections | 1 hr 15 mins | All schemes |
| Running a scheme | Risk management, maintaining member data and working with advisers and service providers | 1 hr 15 mins | All schemes |
| Pensions law | Pensions related legislation, The Pensions Regulator, the tax treatment of pensions, state pensions and member dispute procedures | 1 hr 15 mins | All schemes |
| An introduction to investment | Investing in a pension scheme, types of assets, risk, reward, economic cycles, active and passive management, diversification and managing investments | 2 hrs 15 mins | All schemes |
| How a DB scheme works | Benefits accrual and calculation, the employer covenant and recognising when an employer's ability to meet pension liabilities may be at risk | 1 hr 30 mins |
DB only, DB with AVC and Hybrid |
| Funding your DB scheme |
Various assumptions used to measure the funding position of a scheme and the different measures used to determine the funding level of schemes |
1 hr 30 mins |
DB only, DB with AVC and Hybrid |
| DB recovery plans, contributions and funding principles |
Setting contributions and producing a recovery plan and statement of funding principles |
1 hr 30 mins |
DB only, DB with AVC and Hybrid |
| How a DC scheme works (2014) |
Risks to good member outcomes, contributions, transactions, value for money and charges, retirement decisions and member communications |
1 hr 45 mins | DC only, DB with AVC and Hybrid |
| Investment in a DC scheme |
Setting the investment strategy, selecting a default investment strategy and alternative options for members, charges and managing performance |
1 hr 15 mins | DC only, DB with AVC and Hybrid |
| Investment in a DB scheme |
Reviewing the investment strategy, tools to help trustees such as scenario analysis, projection modelling and stochastic modelling and example changes trustees make to the asset allocation. |
2 hrs | DB only, DB with AVC and Hybrid |
Proving your achievements
The Trustee toolkit enables trustees to print or save a development record which proves their achievements and acts as a proof of their progress through the toolkit.
Each module also features an online assessment and for each one you pass your development record will be updated with your score. The development record can be downloaded at any time and as new modules are added you will be able to pass these and add them to your record too.
Assessing your learning needs
The Trustee toolkit has the following range of resources to help you review your knowledge and understanding, the tasks you need to do and the skills you need to develop:
- quick guide to personal development
- assess your learning needs
- study planner
- learning log
To view the resources go to ongoing learning and development.