A Look at Recent Past Papers for the CII J05 Exam – April 2026
In this article, we are taking a look at the questions asked in recent CII J05 exams. This will be useful reading for you if you are preparing to sit this exam in the near future; it will help you to focus your revision on the areas that are likely to be examined.
This article is correct as at 16 April 2026.
In terms of structure, J05 is a relatively straightforward paper. Each sitting consists of 15 stand-alone questions, typically 5-12 marks apiece. Some of the questions may be based on very short case studies where candidates are introduced to a client and asked to base answers on their circumstances.
The key factor to bear in mind with J05 is that, unlike pension exams such as R04 which are somewhat wider in scope, J05 focuses on the issues which arise when vesting pensions. However, it can occasionally throw up questions in some related but surprising subject areas.
Historically, the J05 exam has almost always started with a question related to the lifetime allowance. The allowance has, of course, been abolished as of April 2024, however, it has been replaced by the lump sum allowance and the lump sum and death benefits allowance. The status quo appears to have been maintained with recent opening questions focusing on these as well as the concept of the transitional tax-free amount certificate.
Another recent development in the pension world is the concept of 2028 protection. This is a new form of transitional protection which has been introduced to cover situations where a scheme member may be entitled under the rules of the scheme to vest their pension at the age of 55 or 56. It is a means of allowing members to retain that right when the minimum pension age increases to 57 in 2028. It has already been questioned on multiple occasions and is likely to be again.
Other areas which we see regularly covered in J05 include the following:
- Death benefits payable from various types of pension vesting arrangements and the nomination process;
- Cashflow modelling, stress testing and risk profiling;
- Features, benefits, and drawbacks of various vesting methods (including less mainstream ones such as short-term annuities and serious ill-health lump sums which may not be typically covered in more general pension modules);
- Issues relating to defined benefit transfers including processes and factors to consider;
- State pension, eligible state benefits, and top-up national insurance contributions;
- Divorce and the splitting of pension arrangements;
- Investment scams, how to spot them, and protection of consumers
However, J05 covers a broad range of material and whilst it has a strong pass rate of c 90% in recent sittings, areas such as Pension Wise, spousal bypass trusts and earmarked investment strategies do occasionally come out of left field.
Here is a list of the subjects covered in the last four J05 exams:
| Standard transitional calculation and transitional tax-free amount certificates. | Lump sum allowance and transitional tax-free amount certificate. | Lump sum allowance and transitional tax-free amount certificate. | Enhanced protection and lump sum protection. |
| 2028 protection. | Commutation of income for PCLS and factors to consider. | Purchase of annuity using CETV. | 2028 protection. |
| Factors to consider when taking a serious ill-health lump sum. | Benefits and disadvantages of phased drawdown. | Death benefit nominations. | Triviality and small pots. |
| Personal pension death benefits and when IHT may apply. | Death benefits from annuities and drawdown. | Capped drawdown transfers. | Factors to consider when taking flexi-access drawdown or annuity. |
| Fixed term annuities versus lifetime annuities. | Drawdown withdrawals and PCLS versus a series of UFPLS. | Death benefits. | Reasons to draw from personal pension or GPP. |
| Factors to consider when considering a transfer value. | Factors to consider when deciding between annuity or drawdown. | Phased flexi-access drawdown. | Income withdrawal recommendations factors to consider. |
| Considerations when taking an UFPLS. | Factors which the FCA states should be considered when making a drawdown recommendation. | Investment pathways. | Investment scams. |
| FCA requirements regarding shopping around for annuities. | Investment scams, methods and means to protect customers. | The pension protection fund. | State pension calculation. |
| Reasons to complete death benefit nominations. | Bereavement support payment criteria. | Class 3 NICs. | Factors to consider when comparing taking a PCLS or UFPLS. |
| State Pension forecast and impact of moving abroad. | Considerations when using risk profiling tools. | Capacity for loss. | Spousal bypass trusts. |
| Risks associated with flexi-access drawdown. | Income recycling. | Longevity risk and life expectancy. | Reasons to draw from ISAs over dependents drawdown. |
| Information required to recommend a pension switch. | Statutory advice requirement. | UFPLS versus PCLS. | Death benefit available from defined benefit and personal pension pre-75. |
| Cashflow modelling and stress testing. | Pro and cons of sustainability strategies. | Cashflow modelling and stress testing. | Cashflow modelling and risks. |
| Benefits and drawbacks of Pension Wise guidance. | Uses and disadvantages of cashflow modelling. | Annual review of flexi-access drawdown. | Earmarked investment strategies. |
| Factors to consider at annual review of flexi-access drawdown. | ISA contributions versus pensions. | Using an UFPLS to purchase a property. | Pension sharing versus earmarking. |
Here we take a look at the questions asked in four recent exam papers for #CII #J05. Share on X
J05 is an achievable paper for those candidates who are well prepared. It focuses specifically on pension vesting and the options for taking income, rather than wider pension planning. As a result, it includes related considerations around pension income which may not feature in more general pension papers. A sound understanding of these areas is therefore important to pass the exam.
As you can see from the last four papers, a wide range of syllabus areas are tested but the manual is a manageable size and should be studied fully. Candidates should also review past exam guides carefully, as they provide valuable insight into recurring themes.
Grab the resources you need!
Not sure what to expect from J05 questions or how much detail is needed to secure marks? Our resources show you how topics are examined through realistic questions and model answers. Download the J05 Mock Paper Taster to take a closer look.
