Course Overview

Pension funds are one of the most important and common forms of investment across the globe. There are various types of pension funds and schemes, depending on various factors.

Given the expanse of this form of investment and the criticality and risks associated with it, regulatory and legislative steps are required to ensure that all companies and parties adhere to a set of universally accepted standards and fulfil all obligations and liabilities, while also receiving adequate protection against unnecessary, unpredictable risks in future.

Hence, each country has a set of laws and regulations revolving around various aspects of pension fund investment management, and many extend beyond boundaries to apply to all countries worldwide.

This Zoe training course will prepare you to pursue a successful career in pension fund law and regulation. The course content covers various aspects of pension funds that need regulation.

By undertaking this Certificate in Pension Fund Law & Regulation Act course, you will be able to assume any role and responsibility in the regulatory domain of pension funds, thereby showcasing your dynamism and potential to perform well in any sphere of work concerning pension fund investments.

This, in turn, will build trust and will secure your future in your organisation. Further, it will prepare you with the required confidence to work in any organisation in the industry.

Course Objectives

The key objective of this Certificate in Pension Fund Law & Regulation Act training course is to empower professionals with—

• detailed information and knowledge about regulatory aspects concerning pension fund investments
• the required awareness and confidence to handle, on behalf of one’s organisation, and regulatory issues and concerns arising from pension fund investments
• the necessary skills and capabilities to regularly check and ensure that one’s organisation adheres to all required standards of regulation and legislation
• the knowledge and experience to train other professionals on pension fund law and regulation
• the skill and ability to help one’s organisation stay ahead of the competition by adhering to all required regulatory standards of pension fund management, thereby demonstrating one’s potential and capabilities to successfully assume higher roles and responsibilities in one’s organisation
• the knowledge and awareness to prevent risks and issues of liability claims against one’s organisation by ensuring that it operates within all legal boundaries and limits, thereby fostering organisational development
• the experience, exposure and dynamism to work in any organisation across the industry in roles of regulatory pension fund management, in turn broadening one’s scope for career growth and development

Training Methodology

Training at Zoe Talent Solutions involves theoretical classroom sessions as well as practical assignments and projects. The theoretical sessions are conducted by highly experienced professionals in the field, using detailed and engaging audio-visual presentations for ease of reference.

Group sessions and assignments, group discussions and debates on case studies, role-plays, etc. form part of the practical aspect to the training. Trainees are also encouraged to contribute during the classroom sessions, relating their relevant experiences of any issue faced or lesson learned.

This innovative, mixed training format was designed by Zoe Talent Solutions and is used by Zoe Talent Solutions alone for all its courses. It is called the Do–Review–Learn–Apply Model.

Organisational Benefits

With professionals undergoing this Certificate in Pension Fund Law & Regulation Act training course, organisations will derive the following benefits:

• Trained and experienced professionals managing pension funds in accordance with relevant laws and regulations
• Continuous up-gradation of existing policies and processes in response to changing demands of the market
• Organisational credibility because of adherence to universally accepted standards of legislation and regulation
• Organisational growth and development because of increased credibility and well-maintained systems and processes
• Ongoing training of other employees on legislations and regulations surrounding pension fund management
• Competitive advantage and potential to carry out business on a global scale, keeping in mind international law and regulation related to pension fund management
• Protection and assurance against unwanted liabilities from pension funds with the right regulations in place as a result of trained professionals overseeing critical functions

Personal Benefits

Professionals opting for this Certificate in Pension Fund Law & Regulation Act training course will benefit in the following ways:

• Complete understanding and detailed information about pension fund law and regulation
• Greater experience and exposure to international standards and regulations required for pension fund management
• Increased knowledge and confidence to train other professionals on pension fund law and regulation
• Better analytical skills and knowledge to ensure that processes and systems at one’s firm adhere to required laws and regulations, thereby safeguarding the interests of the firm and increasing its credibility
• A sense of pride and satisfaction from contributing to organisational growth and development through increased credibility and process adherence
• Enhanced skill set and capabilities to protect one’s firm from liability claims and allegations in future, in turn demonstrating one’s potential and abilities to assume higher roles and responsibilities within the organisation
• Increased exposure to international law and regulation for pension funds, building one’s capability to compete at a global level

Who Should Attend?

• Executives and managers handling pension funds and pension fund investments in an organisation
• Senior management in organisations involved in strategic decisions and active roles at the time of liability claims and allegations
• Other pension scheme providers who need to ensure that their schemes meet all regulatory requirements
• Legal and financial advisors of organisations who not only ensure adherence to regulations but play an integral part at the time of claims
• Policymakers responsible for keeping processes and supporting documentation updated from time to time, with changing dynamics of the market
• Human resource professionals and others concerned with managing pension schemes and funds for their organisations
• Any other professional interested in knowing more about pension fund law and regulation

Course Outline

The Certificate in Pension Fund Law & Regulation Act course covers the following topics to thoroughly understand pension fund law and regulation:

Module 1 – Important Aspects Concerning Operation of Pension Funds

• Investment guidelines
• External audit requirement
• Reporting and disclosure
• Limits on fees and expenses
• Guarantees

Module 2 – Need for Regulation of Pension Funds

• Address market imperfections
• Compensate for asymmetric information
• Control potential moral hazard
• Overcome consumer myopia
• Stimulate competition and efficiency

Module 3 – Types of Risks to be Addressed through Regulation

• Systemic
• Portfolio
• Agency
• Principal

Module 4 – Aspects Common to all Regulatory Systems

• Rules defining structure and organisation of funds
• Requirements for the operation of funds
• Authority for supervision, sanctions and remedial action

Module 5 – Three Levels Concerning Regulatory Law for Pensions

• Statutory (legislative)
• Interpretive (regulatory)
• Implementation (judicial)

Module 6 – Considerations in Allocation Among Levels

• Civil versus common law environment
• Underlying system design
• Strength of mobilisation of interest groups
• Time for development
• Independence and technical capacity regulator
• Quality and independence of the judiciary

Module 7 – Legal Form of Pension Funds

• Holding/Organisation entity or consolidated financial services
• Governance structure and standards
• Deference to other licensing authorities
• Limitations of who may sponsor/create
• Restriction on the term pension fund and marketing limitations

Module 8 – Regulations on Governance Structure

• Identification of responsibilities
• Governing body
• Expert advice
• Auditor
• Actuary
• Custody
• Accountability
• Suitability

Module 9 – Regulation on Governance Mechanisms

• Internal controls
• Reporting
• Disclosure
• Redress