The Pensions Management Institute (PMI)

1st August 2023

The Pensions Management Institute: Supporting Excellence in Pensions for 50 Years

The Pensions Management Institute (PMI) stands at the heart of the UK’s pensions industry, championing professionalism, developing expertise, and shaping the future of retirement provision – all aimed at protecting savers.

As the UK’s leading professional body for pensions and retirement savings specialists, the PMI has spent five decades raising standards, driving thought leadership, and supporting the professionals responsible for safeguarding the retirement outcomes of millions.

This year, the PMI celebrates its 50th anniversary – a moment that reflects both its long-standing contribution and its forward‑looking mission to strengthen pensions for future generations.

A Brief History

Founded in 1976, the PMI was established to promote professionalism and improve standards across all areas of pension scheme management and consultancy. Over fifty years, the PMI has grown to become the UK’s authoritative voice for pensions and lifetime savings professionals. Throughout this period, it has remained independent, non‑political, and dedicated to supporting the practitioners who manage schemes representing more than £1 trillion of UK pension savings.

The PMI’s 50‑year milestone in 2026 marks a pivotal moment. As CEO Gareth Tancred notes, the anniversary arrives at a time of profound change in pensions, where regulation, governance, and evolving scheme designs demand new capability and fresh thinking. The PMI’s focus today is not only on honouring its past, but on equipping the next generation of professionals to meet the challenges of the future.

Our Aims and Objectives

The Institute’s mission is clear: to deliver exceptional thought leadership, comprehensive education, advanced training, and recognised qualifications in pension management.

Its objectives include:

Supporting and developing experts who manage and administer UK pension schemes.
Driving forward professional standards across every area of pensions and retirement savings.
Offering education and qualifications that set benchmarks for excellence and competence.
Fostering collaboration across the pensions landscape to improve outcomes for savers.

These aims are underpinned by values such as professionalism, customer focus, shared vision, and a commitment to strengthening the industry’s impact on the economy and society.

What the PMI Does

Professional Training and Qualifications

The PMI provides a comprehensive suite of qualifications covering all areas of pensions and retirement savings. As the leading body responsible for supporting and developing the UK’s pensions workforce, it offers programmes for administrators, consultants, trustees, and senior industry leaders.

Its qualifications and training frameworks are continually modernised to keep pace with regulatory expectations and the evolving needs of both defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC) schemes, both in the UK and abroad.

Thought Leadership and Industry Insight

A core part of the PMI’s role is to lead conversations shaping the future of pensions. It does this through:

Research and policy insight
Responses to government and regulatory consultations and calls for evidence
Conferences and national events
Publications including Pensions Aspects magazine
Regular media articles

Membership Support

PMI membership signifies professional excellence and is recognised across the pensions sector. The Institute supports over 8,500 members through:

National and regional networking opportunities
Online careers services and guidance
Trustee‑specific membership groups
Access to research, training, and continuous learning tools

Members are central to the PMI’s mission, contributing to its committees, volunteering programmes, and industry-wide initiatives designed to elevate pension standards.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

A strong commitment to CPD is fundamental to PMI membership. All members are expected to complete a minimum of 25 hours of relevant CPD each year.

The PMI supports this through a wide range of CPD resources:

Online learning and compliance courses
Conferences and seminars
Study resources and revision materials
Rich digital content including videos, technical updates, and exam preparation tools

These resources ensure that professionals remain up to date with regulatory developments, technical knowledge, and emerging industry themes.

Membership Categories and the PMI Community

The PMI’s diverse membership includes students entering the profession, experienced practitioners, trustees, and senior Fellows. This broad community ensures a collaborative network of expertise spanning every aspect of pensions, from governance and administration to investment and scheme design.

As the largest community of pension professionals in the UK, the PMI plays a central role in shaping the future of pensions by giving its members a collective voice and platform for influence.

Looking Ahead: A Future Built on 50 Years of Progress

The PMI’s 50th anniversary, and all that has gone before, is a launchpad for the decades ahead. As pensions undergo significant transformation, the PMI remains committed to raising standards, supporting professionals, and ensuring better outcomes for savers.

Find out more about the qualifications offered by PMI by reading the ‘Qualifications and Training’ article.