The Institute of Financial Planning has launched a new free gap-filling programme on the topic of pensions and retirement planning.

The programme, exclusively for IFP members, has been produced in association with Zurich and technical expert Technical Connection.

The modules are available on a monthly basis on the Techlink platform.

Each module contains an audio-visual lecture, downloadable notes and online testing.

Modules this year will cover pension scheme investment funds, QROPS and pensions regulator compliance, pension protection schemes, pensions and divorce, employment law and pension assets.

Further modules on corporate responsibilities, pension credit frameworks, defined contribution schemes and personal accounts will be available in January.

The modules are also applicable for use as ongoing CPD. Record keeping is simple as there is a monthly automatic transfer of CPD records to individual’s CPD logs.

IFP education director Sue Leech said: “The programme provides an effective, easy to use tool which I’m sure will prove to be very useful and popular with our members when completing their requirements for the Pensions and Retirement Planning unit.”

Tony Wickenden of Technical Connection said: “By making modules available exclusively to IFP members through the multi-media function within our Techlink Professional platform, we can help many Financial Planners to work through the material at times and locations convenient to them.”