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CII J05 Exam: Pension Income Options

The CII’s J05 exam forms part of the Diploma in Financial Planning. It is a 2-hour short answer question paper consisting of 15 questions, with a nominal pass mark of 55%.

The exam syllabus covers rules applying to retirement benefits when they are crystallised; the features, tax treatment and risks of the secured pension option, of the unsecured pension option, of phased retirement and of the alternatively secured pension; critical yield and how it relates to income withdrawal; benefits available due to ill health; state retirement benefits; regulatory & legal issues designed to protect clients drawing pension benefits and issues relating to pension advice.

Our learning resources

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Mock Exam Papers

3 full sets of 15 questions and answers including cross references to the relevant CII study text.  All questions and answers are written by Brand Financial Training and kept up-to-date to reflect changes to the exam syllabus and tax year.

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Calculation Workbook

Focussing on the calculations within the exam syllabus, the calculation workbook provides calculation questions with full step-by-step answers, detailed explanations and cross-references to the relevant CII study text.

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Revision Notes

Designed for use when you are further along with your exam studies, our revision notes are a streamlined version of the learning outcomes and exam syllabus combined with self-test questions.

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    Giovanni ManigliaGiovanni ManigliaWealth Management Adviser, Lloyds TSB, Bristol
  • "I've used your resources for 3 exams so far and have always passed first time.  I find these questions help to highlight those areas in which I am weak and which may need further study.  I also find that questions in the exam are phrased in a way that I would not normally use, and that reading mock questions helps me to be aware of and alert to these.  Your mock papers were invaluable in helping me to prepare for my exams."
    John BisattJohn BisattAdviser, Palmer Lane, Cardiff
  • "I have used Brand Financial Training for many of my CF & R0 exams. Each module has done exactly what it days on the tin, and it helps you pass your exams. The material is very detailed, but not to the point it's overwhelming. It complements the CII coursework, but gives you a detailed understanding of the topics and puts your theory into practice. I have a 100% success rate so far, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the service to any of my colleagues or friends."
    Leanne TraceyLeanne TraceySenior Customer Consultant, Standard Life Direct
  • "At the age of 20 I became the youngest person to hold the CII Diploma. I achieved this through hard work and the use of resources including those provided by Brand Financial Training; in particular the mock exams, study notes and the extremely helpful Calculation Workbooks. I'm now moving forward with the Advanced Diploma and continue to use Brand Financial Training's resources to aid my progression to Chartered Status. I certainly recommend them."
    Josh ButtenJosh ButtenMDG MK, Milton Keynes
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    John ReynoldsJohn ReynoldsExpert Pensions, Edinburgh
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