Qualified Financial Adviser Diploma

Transcription

1 Qualified Financial dviser iploma QF * Life ssurance Module Term ** Study / Examination Guide THE INSURNE INSTITUTE OF IRELN *QF is a registered trademark of the QF oard **This guide relates to Examinations to be held between January and pril 2009 inclusive LI/III/Io September 2008

2 opyright LI Ireland/Insurance Institute of Ireland/Institute of ankers in Ireland 2008 ll rights reserved. Material published in this study course is copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or in part including photocopying or recording, for any purpose without the written permission of the copyright holders. Such written permission must also be obtained before any part of this publication is stored in a retrieval system of any nature LI/III/Io Page 2 of 39

3 QF LIFE SSURNE STUY/EXMINTION GUIE INTROUTION The Qualified Financial dviser course is divided into six separate modules: QF - Life ssurance QF - Pensions QF - Investment QF - Loans QF - Regulation QF - Financial Planning The following is a summary of the of the course content for each of the modules: QF Life ssurance QF Pensions QF Investment Life ssurance ompanies Protection Policies usiness Insurances Underwriting Savings Plans Investment onds Pension Plans nnuities Taxation of Policy enefits Starting a policy Paying out enefits Wills and Succession ct rights Inflation and ompound Interest The need for Retirement Provision Taxation State Pension enefits Personal Pension Plans Personal Retirement Savings Plans (PRSs) Occupational Pension Schemes uy out onds Vs Small Self dministered Schemes (SSS) nnuities pproved Retirement Funds (RFs) Pension Fund Limits Pension Fund Investment Pension djustment Orders Regulation Financial Services The Legal Environment The Economic Environment Main investment asset classes eposits Quoted Shares & onds Tracker onds ollective Investment Schemes Exchange Traded Funds erivatives Unquoted shares ompany Law & ccounting Market buse Regulations Intermediary reporting obligations re offshore investments 2008 LI/III/Io Page 3 of 39

4 QF LIFE SSURNE STUY/EXMINTION GUIE QF Loans QF Regulation QF Financial Planning Introduction to onsumer Loan needs Housing Loans and Equity Release products Housing Loan Insurances Regulation of Housing Loans and Equity Release omparing Housing Loans Obtaining a Housing Loan onsumer redit Why Governments regulate financial services providers ifferent forms of regulation Regulatory entities and their functions Intermediaries Financial Regulator onsumer Protection ode Markets in Financial Instruments Regulations ata Protection nti Money Laundering obligations istance Marketing of onsumer Financial Services Insurance Mediation irective Regulations Financial Services Ombudsman Pensions Ombudsman Scheme Investor ompensation Scheme Minimum ompetency Requirements Personal Financial Planning Fact-finding Personal Financial Needs Retirement enefit Options Estate Planning Marriage reakdown Product omparisons and Evaluations Personal taxation Managing Investment Risk Investment Restrictions eveloping a Recommendation lient Reviews ase Studies Students who pass all six parts of the Qualified Financial dvisor course are entitled to use the designation Qualified Financial dviser (QF), subject to complying with the ontinuous Professional evelopment and other requirements associated with the designation. This Examination Guide has been produced to help students to prepare for the QF Life ssurance Module Examination LI/III/Io Page 4 of 39

5 QF LIFE SSURNE STUY/EXMINTION GUIE THE MOULE OUTLINE Module Title European redit Transfer System redits (ETS) Programme ontact Hours (Tutorials) Independent Study Student Support QF Life ssurance 5 ETS credits Qualified Financial dviser iploma 4 x 3 hour tutorials specific timetables are available from The LI on The time needed to assimilate and understand the module content will vary from student to student. Nevertheless, we recommend that students need to undertake in the region of 100 hours of independent study. This module is supported by a purpose written core text and four tutorials. We recommend that students prepare in advance of each tutorial by reading the relevant chapters of the core text. etails of the chapters to be covered in each tutorial are available from ssessment Indicative Module escription High Level Module Learning Outcomes This module is assessed by an end of module examination, which consists of 80 multiple choice-style exam questions. The pass mark is 65%. The examination will be 1 ½ hours in duration. This module introduces the student to the main personal financial needs of a consumer at the different life stages. The module examines the main features, benefits, limitations and risks of the different types of life assurance, protection, savings, investment and pension policies. The module provides students with details of the underwriting and claims processes. It explores the issues of Wills and Succession ct Rights, and gives the student a computational framework within which financial discounting and accumulation calculations are made. On completion of this module students will be able to: escribe the main personal financial needs of the consumer at all life stages Explain the main features, benefits, limitations and risks of different types of protection, savings, investment and pension policies. Show how policyholder policy returns are taxed and calculate the tax deductible in different circumstances. etail the issues involved in starting a policy, describe how the policy can be arranged, and the procedure to claim benefits. Identify the constituents in a valid Will, explain how a deceased s assets are distributed after death, and discuss the impact of the Succession ct rights of a spouse and children. Perform time value of money calculations involving accumulation and discounting of cash sums. ore Text QF Life ssurance, published by LI/III/Io Edition LI/III/Io Page 5 of 39

6 QF LIFE SSURNE STUY/EXMINTION GUIE THE EXMINTION The assessment is via an end of module Examination. The Examination format is Multiple hoice Examination (MQ), in which candidates will be required to answer 80 MQs. The Pass % is 65% (or 52 of the 80 questions). The examination papers are made up, as far as possible, of 50% Knowledge, 25% Understanding and 25% pplication questions. In order to clarify the three types of question we have taken examples of them from the sample paper and explain the difference here. Knowledge Knowledge questions focus on the memorisation and recall of terms, facts, methods and principles (factual information) which underpin the theories, concepts or methods of the subject matter. What is a codicil? bequest made under a Will. The Executor of a valid Will. n amendment to an existing Will. nother name for an invalid Will. Understanding n understanding question will test whether you have a deeper grasp of the subject matter than the simple facts. It is likely, although not certain, that these type of questions will ask how or why. They will require more thought to answer them than the knowledge type of question. Why are smokers charged higher premiums for life cover than non smokers of a similar age and sex? To encourage smokers to stop smoking. Smokers have a higher risk of dying over a given period than non smokers. Life companies spend more on underwriting smokers than non smokers. Smokers tend to take out higher amounts of cover than non smokers LI/III/Io Page 6 of 39

7 QF LIFE SSURNE STUY/EXMINTION GUIE pplication s the name suggests an application question will test whether you are able to use your knowledge and understanding to solve particular problems. They will always require more thinking than knowledge or understanding type questions. atherine has taken out a life assurance savings plan for 100 per month. The plan has a non allocation period of four months and 105% allocation. How much will have been invested in units after the first three years of the Plan? 1,200 2,520 3,360 3,600 These are the three types of questions we will ask you. Each examination paper will broadly test the same areas of the module. So in order for you to study your core text with the examination in mind, we have set out the module learning outcomes in the table overleaf. From this table you will be able to see how the high level learning outcomes (at the module level) are broken down into hapter level learning outcomes. These learning outcomes guide the construction of the examination paper. In addition, you will see the hapter exam weighting; this corresponds broadly with the likely number of questions on the exam paper. We would like to stress that the number of questions per chapter corresponds broadly with the chapter weighting provided and is given for guidance only. ue to the complex issues associated with examination setting, some variation from these indicative weightings per chapter may occur in actual examination papers LI/III/Io Page 7 of 39

8 QF LIFE SSURNE - MOULE LERNING OUTOMES Module Learning Outcomes On completion of this module, students should be able to:- escribe the main personal financial needs of the consumer at all life stages ore text: hapter Learning Outcomes On completion of this chapter, students should be able to:- 1 escribe the main types of personal financial need, the difference between earned and unearned income and explain what is meant by Personal Financial Planning. 1 escribe what a financial product is and the main types of financial product providers and outline the types and role of financial intermediaries. ore text: Indicative ontent by hapter 1.1 What is a financial need? 1.2 Main types of Financial needs, Life ycle, 1.3 Earned Income 1.4 Personal Financial Planning 1.5 Financial Products and Providers 1.6 Financial Intermediaries Exam Weighting (%) 1 to 4 % 2 emonstrate the different ways a life assurance company might by authorised to transact life assurance business. 2.1 uthorisation 2 escribe prudential regulation and identify who regulates a life company including the setting of the conduct of business rules for a life company. 2.2 Prudential regulation The ppointed ctuary, nnual Returns. 2.3 onduct of business regulation Explain the main features, benefits, limitations and risks of different types of protection, savings, investment and pension policies 2 ifferentiate between the two forms of life assurance companies. 2 Outline the different types of policies. 2 Identify the different forms of insurance intermediaries. 2.4 Legal forms 2.5 Types of policies; broad categories, life and pensions, ordinary branch and industrial assurances, life assurance vs. life insurance, long term contracts, premiums, unit linked, with profit, investment risk 2.6 Official classification of policies 2.7 ommon terms 2.8 General Insurance 2.9 Sales; insurance intermediaries, sales force, intermediary and sales remuneration 2.10 uthorisation to give advice 8 to 10% 2008 LI/III/Io Page 8 of 39

9 QF LIFE SSURNE - MOULE LERNING OUTOMES Module Learning Outcomes On completion of this module, students should be able to:- Explain the main features, benefits, limitations and risks of different types of protection, savings, investment and pension policies ore text: hapter Learning Outcomes On completion of this chapter, students should be able to:- 3 escribe the different types of temporary assurance policy and identify the main features, benefits, limitations and risk of these different types ecide what actions companies will take in given situations. 3 efine the different ways a home loan borrower can arrange mortgage protection cover. 4 escribe the main features, benefits, limitations and risks of the different types of whole of life. alculate benefits and sums at risk. ore text: Indicative ontent by hapter 3.1 Temporary ssurances 3.2 Term ssurance 3.3 onvertible Term ssurance 3.4 Indexation 3.5 Insurability option 3.6 Renewable, increasable and convertible term assurance 3.7 Section 785 Term ssurance 3.8 Pension Term assurance 3.9 Family income benefit 3.11 Limitations 3.12 Risks 3.13 Non payment of premiums 3.10 Mortgage Protection; decreasing term assurance, group mortgage protection, borrower s options, limitations 4.1 What is whole of life 4.2 With Profit Whole of Life, Reversionary bonus, terminal bonus, encashment value 4.3 Low ost Whole of Life, 4.4 Non Profit While of Life 4.5 Unit Linked Protection Policy; buying units, encashment value, life cover, the sum at risk, bombing out, cover types, premium review, premium guarantee period, flexibility 4.6 Non forfeiture 4.7 Section 72 policies 4.8 Limitations 4.9 Risks; with profit whole of life, low cost whole of life, non profit whole of live, unit linked protection, inflation Exam Weighting (%) 5 to 8% 6 to 9% 2008 LI/III/Io Page 9 of 39

10 QF LIFE SSURNE - MOULE LERNING OUTOMES Module Learning Outcomes On completion of this module, students should be able to:- ore text: hapter Learning Outcomes On completion of this chapter, students should be able to:- 5 escribe the main features, benefits, limitations and risks of serious illness cover. 5 escribe the main features, benefits, limitations and risks of Permanent Health Insurance (PHI). ore text: Indicative ontent by hapter 5.2 Serious Illness over cceleration of Life over, Standalone serious illness courier, double courier, permanent total disability, total disablement, loss of independence, waiting period, terminal illness cover, comparison of different cost of cover, typical causes of serious illness claims 5.3 Limitation of protection products 5.4 Permanent Health Insurance; payment of enefit, Tax, Premium, Limitations, Waiver of Premium, cessation of benefit. Group PHI Exam Weighting (%) 5 to 8% Explain the main features, benefits, limitations and risks of different types of protection, savings, investment and pension policies 5 ompare and contrast Permanent Health Insurance and Serious Illness over. 5 Examine the main features and benefits of supplementary accident and medical expense insurance. 6 Outline the main legal and taxation differences between a sole trader, partnership and a limited company. 5.5 PHI vs Serious Illness cover 5.6 Risks; serious illness cover, permanent health insurance, inflation 5.7 ccident Insurance; Serious Illness & PHI, sickness and accident policies. 5.8 Medical Expense Insurance; Private Health Insurance, Hospital ash, Surgical ash. 6.2 usiness Structures Sole Trader, Partnership and Limited ompany 6 escribe Partnership Insurance, the different ways in which it can be arranged and the taxation implications of each of these ways. 6.3 Partnership Insurance Overview, Structure, rranging Life over, Put and all Option greement, Section 785 Policies, Payment of Premiums, orporate o irectors Insurance, Serious Illness. 5 to 8% 6 escribe Key person Insurance, how it can be arranged and its taxation implications. 6.4 Key person Insurance Overview, Quantifying the Loss, rranging the policy, Taxation LI/III/Io Page 10 of 39

11 QF LIFE SSURNE - MOULE LERNING OUTOMES Module Learning Outcomes On completion of this module, students should be able to:- Explain the main features, benefits, limitations and risks of different types of protection, savings, and investment and pension policies ore text: hapter Learning Outcomes On completion of this chapter, students should be able to:- 7 escribe the main features, benefits, limitations and risks of unit linked, traditional with profit and endowment mortgage savings plans. 7 escribe the main features, benefits, limitations and risks of unit linked, with profit, tracker bonds and guaranteed growth investment bonds. 7 Outline the main provisions of the Financial Regulator onsumer Protection ode in relation to illustrations and advertisements for savings and investment policies. ore text: Indicative ontent by hapter 7.1 Unit Linked savings plans Purchasing Units, Savings term, encashment value, life cover, charges, automatic indexation, Unit Fund choice, partial encashment, limitations, risks. 7.2 Traditional with profit endowment savings plans; guarantees, bonuses, limitations, risks, second hand endowments 7.3 Endowment mortgage savings plans 7.4 Unit Linked Investment onds Investment Term, harges, eath benefit, Unit fund choice, Wrapper ond, Partial encashment, automatic income facility. Fund switching, limitations, investment risk 7.5 With Profit onds; conventional or unitised, market value adjustment factors, guarantees, death benefit, automatic income, limitations, investment risks 7.6 Tracker bonds, two components, averaging of indices, structure, access to funds, limitations, risks, consumer protection code 7.7 Guaranteed growth bonds, early encashment, returns, limitations, risks 7.9 onsumer Protection ode; dvertising, Warning Statements, Use of term guaranteed, referring to past performance, reference to taxation, return unknown, regular encashment, not readily realisable, early encashments, products subject to front end loading charges. Exam Weighting (%) 16 to 19% 2008 LI/III/Io Page 11 of 39

12 QF LIFE SSURNE - MOULE LERNING OUTOMES Module Learning Outcomes On completion of this module, students should be able to:- Explain the main features, benefits, limitations and risks of different types of protection, savings, investment and pension policies ore text: hapter Learning Outcomes On completion of this chapter, students should be able to:- 8 escribe the main features, benefits, limitations and risks of Personal Pension Plans, Personal Retirements Savings ccounts and pproved Retirement Funds. 8 Explain how an occupational pension scheme is established, the tax reliefs available, and the maximum approvable benefits that can be provided by approved schemes. ore text: Indicative ontent by hapter 8.2 ifferent policy types 8.3 Personal Pension Plans; Revenue approval, tax relief on Premiums, Fund Switching, Taking Retirement enefits, Limitations, and Risks. 8.4 PRSs; eligibility, providers, approval of PRS product, standard PRS s, retirement benefits. Vs, tax relief, compulsory access, disclosure of information, cooling off period, limitations, risks 8.5 pproved Retirement Funds, rawdown, death, approved minimum retirement fund, limitations, risks 8.6 Occupational Pension Schemes executive pension plans, how the scheme is set up, tax relief, maximum benefits, contribution levels, taking retirement benefits, risks Exam Weighting (%) 8 to 10% 8 Identify the main ways in which an employee can pay dditional Voluntary ontributions. 8.7 dditional Voluntary ontributions 8 efine a uy out ond and when funds can be transferred to such a bond. 8.8 uyout bonds 9 ifferentiate between a Purchased Life nnuity and a ompulsory Purchase nnuity. 9.2 Investment type of annuities 9.3 Purchased Life nnuities 9.4 ompulsory Purchase nnuities Explain the main features, benefits, limitations and risks of different types of protection, savings, investment and pension policies 9 escribe the features, limitations and risks of an annuity. 9.5 Joint Life 9.6 The annuity rate 9.7 The open market option 9.8 Guaranteed minimum annuity rates 9.9 eath 9.10 Limitations 9.11 Risks 3 to 5% 2008 LI/III/Io Page 12 of 39

13 QF LIFE SSURNE - MOULE LERNING OUTOMES Module Learning Outcomes On completion of this module, students should be able to:- ore text: hapter Learning Outcomes On completion of this chapter, students should be able to:- 10 Outline the ways benefits are taxed from different types of policies. 10 escribe what Gross Roll Up is, calculate the exit tax deductible from a payout under a savings or investment policy and define the circumstances in which exit tax is not deducted or can be reclaimed. ore text: Indicative ontent by hapter 10.1 Summary, 10.2 Life business effected before 1 st January Life business effected on or after 1 st January 2001; Temporary assurance policy, unit linked protection policy, unit linked savings plans, unit linked bonds 10.4 Other policy types Exam Weighting (%) 3 to 5% Show how policyholder policy returns are taxed and calculate the tax deductible in different circumstances etail the issues involved in starting a policy, describe how the policy can be arranged, and the procedure to claim benefits. 11 Identify the main elements of a valid legal contract, how such a contract is discharges and the remedies for breach of contract. 11 escribe the steps involved in starting a protection policy and explain why companies underwrite protection policy proposals. 11 efine the implications of utmost good faith and insurable interest in relation to a protection policy legal ontract, offer and acceptance, form and/or consideration, apacity, genuineness of consent, legality of object, discharge of contract, remedies for breach of contract Life ssurance policy contract 11.3 The proposal form; Financial Regulator onsumer Protection ode, isclosure of Information Notice, 11.4 Underwriting; Medical underwriting, premium rates & underwriting, different risk classes, genetic tests insurance scheme for Hep or HIV, financial underwriting, reinsurance, 11.5 cceptance 11.6 Issue of policy; paying the first premium, policy document, summary of process, disclosure notice and cooling off period, policies which don t proceed, free accidental death cover 11.7 Principle of utmost good faith; material facts, non-disclosure, genetic tests, duty to disclose material facts, 11.8 Principle of Insurable Interest 11.9 Joint Life Policies 14 to 16% 2008 LI/III/Io Page 13 of 39

14 QF LIFE SSURNE - MOULE LERNING OUTOMES Module Learning Outcomes On completion of this module, students should be able to:- ore text: hapter Learning Outcomes On completion of this chapter, students should be able to:- 11 iscuss the main ways in which a policy can be legally owned and the impact of different legal ownership forms on entitlement to benefit under a policy. 12 Outline the main events which can give rise to a claim under a policy. ore text: Indicative ontent by hapter Policy ownership; own life and life of another policies, joint life/dual life policies, payment of benefit, change of ownership, mortgage/assignment, policies arranged under trust Savings, Investment & Pension Policies nnual Statement of Value 12.2 Events giving rise to a claim Exam Weighting (%) 12 Identify the main requirements on the beneficiary claiming benefits under a policy Making a claim 12 efine the steps of the process by which a life company processes a claim made under a policy Paying out the claim 12.5 dmission or rejection of claim 12.6 Ongoing claims processing 3 to 5% 12 Outline the main provisions of the Financial Regulator onsumer Protection ode in relation to the payment of claims under life assurance policies Financial Regulator onsumer Protection ode; Verifying the validity of the claim, claims procedures, payment of claim Identify the constituents in a valid Will and explain how a deceased s assets are distributed after death, and discuss the impact of the Succession ct 13 etail the main legal requirements which apply to he making of a valid Will and how a valid Will can be revoked Wills, efinition of a testator and testatrix, Why make a Will?, legal requirements, legal guardians for children, minimum survival period clause, a codicil, revoking a will, disclaiming an Inheritance 2008 LI/III/Io Page 14 of 39

15 QF LIFE SSURNE - MOULE LERNING OUTOMES Module Learning Outcomes On completion of this module, students should be able to:- Identify the constituents in a valid Will and explain how a deceased s assets are distributed after death, and discuss the impact of the Succession ct ore text: hapter Learning Outcomes On completion of this chapter, students should be able to:- 13escribe the main Succession ct rights which the next of kin of a deceased may have to his or her estate and the possible impact on a spouse s Succession ct rights of a legal separation or divorce. 14 iscuss the concepts time value of money and inflation in the context of a client s financial needs and protection cover over time. ore text: Indicative ontent by hapter 13.2 Succession ct rights; overview, leaving no Will, leaving a Will, Spouse, hild, Reside of Estate, simultaneous death, renouncing succession act rights, legal separation, divorce, enefits passing outside Estate, ttempting to disinherit a spouse or children 13.3 Winding up an estate; Legal Personal Representatives and their duties, Revenue ffidavit, transfer to a trust, Joint bank accounts 13.4 Payment of benefits without grant of representation; Saving certificates, credit union savings, Indemnity 14.1 Understanding the time value of money 14.2 Inflation; PI, llowing for inflation Exam Weighting (%) 4 to %6 Perform time value of money calculations involving accumulation and discounting of cash sums. 14 Perform the following financial calculations - Inflation - ccumulated Values - iscounted Values - Net present value 14.3 ompound Interest, overview, accumulating, discounting 4 to 6% 14 efine the terms Internal Rate of Return, Reduction in Yield, PR, R and explain how they can be used Internal Rate of Return 14.4 Reduction in Yield; What is the RIY? omparing RIYs 14.5 PR; what is PR, omparing PRs 14.6 ER; deposits, comparing ERs 2008 LI/III/Io Page 15 of 39

16 QF LIFE SSURNE STUY/EXMINTION GUIE STUENT NLYSIS REPORTS Those who are unsuccessful in the examination are provided with individual feedback on their performance in the exam. This student analysis report will be available to candidates once the results are published, and are available on-line only, from the Your LI section of our website, andidates ought to print off this report and retain it for their use. andidates should use the report to identify gaps in their knowledge and so inform their preparation for a future re-sit examination. When you log-on to your account, in the Your LI section of our website, you can access the report. In order to preserve the integrity of our question bank we do NOT list the questions answered incorrectly but we do give the following information on these questions:- Question number hapter and sub chapter reference from where the questions was derived The learning area See the below example: Private and onfidential Ms Joan loggs Your Membership Number ny Street ny Town QF Module Name & Exam ate ny ounty Membership Number: XXXXXX Questions nswered orrectly MQ EXM REPORT The following is your result: Subject Qualified Financial dviser - QF - Life ssurance Saturday 3rd May Exam date: 03/05/2008 INIVIUL EXMINTION REPORT Membership Number: XXXXXX Number of questions on paper: 80 Number of questions answered by candidate: 80 Number of questions answered correctly by candidate: 49 Mark 49(61.25%) 80 Total questions You answered the following questions incorrectly; we have provided you with an analysis of these questions which should prove useful in the preparation for the next exam sitting: 2008 LI/III/Io Page 16 of 39

17 QF LIFE SSURNE STUY/EXMINTION GUIE Question Section rea overed 3 hapter Who are product providers? 4 hapter 2.2 What is prudential regulation? 8 hapter 2.3 Life company conduct of usiness regulation 10 hapter Who an insurance broker acts as agent of 11 hapter What interest rate sensitive Mortgage Protection cover is 22 hapter Taxation of PHI benefit 24 hapter 5.2 ifference between accelerated & stand alone serious illness cover 25 hapter 5.2 efinition of serious illness cover 26 hapter Stand alone serious illness cover 27 hapter 6.2 usiness structures - partnership 28 hapter utomatic accrual of goodwill 39 hapter Guarantees provided by with profit savings plans 42 hapter Unit linked savings plan charges 46 hapter Personal Pension Plan approval requirements 47 hapter Period of service to qualify for maximum approvable pension 48 hapter 8.3 How tax relief on Personal Pension Plan contributions is allowed 49 hapter Who approves an occupational pension scheme 50 hapter Personal Pension Plan approval requirements 51 hapter Occupational pension scheme maximum approvable benefits 52 hapter Taking retirement benefits - Personal Pension Plans & PRSs 56 hapter Gross roll up taxation - death 58 hapter Gross roll up - investment bonds 62 hapter 11.4 Lowest mortality risk? 64 hapter Maximum investment assumption under isclosure Notice? 66 hapter 11.8 Principle of insurable interest 68 hapter onditions for a legal contract 70 hapter 11.4 What is mortality rate? 72 hapter 12.4 Proof of legal title to policy proceeds 74 hapter What is a minimum survival period clause in a Will? 76 hapter Succession ct rights under a valid Will 77 hapter llowing for inflation 2008 LI/III/Io Page 17 of 39

18 QF LIFE SSURNE STUY/EXMINTION GUIE SMPLE EXMINTION PPER Sample Examination Paper is set out in this Examination Guide. It is designed to be of a standard similar to that of the QF Life ssurance Examination itself. The questions have been picked in accordance with the exam weighting provided above. You should ideally attempt this Sample Examination Paper under typical examination conditions, after you have studied the full course. You can then compare your answers with the Model Solutions for the Paper, enclosed at the end of this Guide. STUENTS SHOUL FMILRISE THEMSELVES THOROUGHLY WITH THE EXMINTION INFORMTION ELOW N INSTRUTIONS ON THE FE OF THE SMPLE EXMINTION PPER. EXMINTION INFORMTION 1 ½ hours are allowed to complete the QF Life ssurance Module Examination paper. Each examination paper contains 80 Multiple hoice Questions Each question contains a problem or question posed, followed by a choice of four options, from which you are asked to choose one as being the correct response. Only one of the four options is correct. You must record your answer for each question on the MQ nswer Sheet. You should pay particular attention to any words in a question which have been emphasised in capitals for example MINIMUM, MXIMUM, MIN, EST, NOT, MOST, HIGHEST, LOWER, LOWEST, LTEST, N, PRIMRY, EITHER, FIRST, EXLUE, UTOMTILLY etc. One mark is awarded for each correct response given to a Multiple hoice Question. No marks are deducted for incorrect responses to questions. Unless otherwise stated, the examination is based on the taxation position in the 2008 tax year. You will be supplied in the Examination with: o o o ccumulation and iscount tables, The Earnings Indexation factors which apply each year to the previous year s maximum Net Relevant Earnings Limit for pension tax relief purposes e.g. the factor for 2007 (1.033) and 2008 (1.049) will be supplied. However you are expected to know in the examination the base 2006 net relevant earnings limit figure ( 254,000) to which these factors are applied to determine the limit for later years. The Table of age related annual Tax Relief Limits in respect of all personal contributions made in 2008 to occupational pension schemes, Vs, PRSs, Personal Pension Plans and Section 785 policies. The above information will always be supplied at the end of each Examination Paper, regardless of whether or not there are questions in the Paper which require the use of such factors. Some questions may involve calculations, although these will not be complex. andidates are permitted to use a silent battery or solar powered non-programmable calculator during the examination and may find it helpful to do so. The best approach in the examination is normally to work methodically through the questions, from the first to the last. However you can attempt the questions in any particular order you want. uring the examination, candidates are permitted to write on the inside pages of the examination paper if they find it useful to make notes as each question is attempted. andidates are not permitted, under any circumstances, to remove any examination paper from the examination room. The pass mark is 65%, i.e. 52 or more correct answers out of the 80 questions are required to pass LI/III/Io Page 18 of 39

19 Qualified Financial dviser QF Life ssurance Module Specimen Examination Paper 2008 THE INSURNE INSTITUTE OF IRELN THE EXMINTION PPER MUST E HNE UP T THE EN OF THE EXM WITH THE MQ NSWER SHEET 1. 1 ½ hours are allowed for this paper which consists of 80 Multiple hoice Questions. 2. There is only one correct answer to each question. 3. Read the instructions on the MQ nswer Sheet carefully. Use the MQ nswer Sheet provided to record your answers Use the pencil provided to complete the MQ nswer Sheet Insert your name and membership/examination number at the top of the MQ nswer Sheet. Each question carries 1 mark. 4. Handle the MQ nswer Sheet with care and do not write notes or any marks on the face. 5. alculators may be used provided they are Silent, non-programmable and incapable of storing text; mobile phones may NOT be used as calculators. ooks, papers or other aids may not be in your possession at any time during the exam. 6. Hand this examination question paper, the MQ answer sheets, and any additional sheets to the supervisor at the end of the exam. Failure to hand in the examination paper and the MQ nswer Sheet may preclude the correction of the examination. Membership/Examination No. First Name: Surname: ompany Name: Exam entre: Signature: ate : 2008 LI/III/Io Page 19 of 39

20 TTEMPT LL QUESTIONS QF Life ssurance Sample Examination Paper Term What is the name of the financial need to provide a replacement income in the event of ill health? Savings. Retirement funding. Investment. Protection. 4. John pays a 1,000 premium to a unit linked policy at a time when the Offer Price of the relevant unit fund is 1.25 per unit. ssuming an allocation rate of 100%, how many additional units will be allocated to John s policy in respect of this premium? life company established in the UK can sell life business in the State on a cross border basis. This is known as freedom : to co-locate. of establishment. to provide services. of association. 3. life company established in the State sells life business in Germany. Who regulates the solvency of this life company? 1,000 1, In relation to a life assurance policy, the term grantee refers to the: life assured. life company which issued the policy. legal owner of the policy. admission of a claim under the policy. The German insurance regulatory authorities. The EU ommission. The German Government. The Irish Financial Regulator LI/III/Io Page 20 of 39

21 QF Life ssurance Sample Examination Paper Term Which of the following is NOT an insurance intermediary for regulatory purposes? n insurance broker. 9. Which type of term assurance policy provides tax relief, within limits, on premiums? Mortgage Protection. n insurance agent. Section 785 Term ssurance. tied insurance agent. Family Income enefit. n employee of a life company. Group Mortgage Protection. 7. Renewal commission expressed as a % of the then value of an investment policy is referred to as what type of commission? Trail. Initial. ccelerated. iscounted. 10. The option to increase the cover on a term assurance policy without evidence of health is referred to as what type of option? ontinuation onversion. Insurability. Renewal. 8. Mary works for Insurance Services Ltd, who are an insurance broker. Mary gives advice to Susan about a life assurance policy provided by ce Insurance o. Who is legally responsible for this advice? Insurance Services Ltd. Mary. ce Insurance o. The Financial Regulator LI/III/Io Page 21 of 39

22 QF Life ssurance Sample Examination Paper Term Why are smokers charged higher premiums for life cover than non smokers of a similar age and sex? To encourage smokers to stop smoking. Smokers have a higher risk of dying over a given period than non smokers. Life companies spend more on underwriting smokers than non smokers. Smokers tend to take out higher amounts of cover than non smokers. 12. What type of policy allows the policyholder to roll over the original cover at the end of the term for another period? Renewable term assurance. With profit whole of life. Family income benefit. Term assurance. 13. Mary had a term assurance policy on her own life for 100,000 life cover, but died on 22 nd September On being notified of the claim the life company found that the 40 monthly premium due to be paid on 1 st September 2008 had not been received. The policy terms and conditions provide for 30 days of grace. What amount, if anything, will the life company pay out on this policy? Nil. 50,000 99, , compound reversionary bonus added to a with profit whole of life policy is paid on: the total premiums paid to date. the initial sum assured only. the initial sum assured and attaching bonuses. attaching bonuses only. 15. Sam has a unit linked protection policy with life cover of 100,000 and a cash value of 12,500. Sam has stopped paying premiums to the policy. His option to maintain the 100,000 life cover for a limited period is referred to as: days of grace. non forfeiture. bomb out. the premium guarantee period LI/III/Io Page 22 of 39

23 QF Life ssurance Sample Examination Paper Term If a unit linked protection policy has a sum assured of 100,000 and a current cash value of 5,000, what is the current sum at risk under this policy? 5,000 95, , , Low cost whole of life cover is a combination of: with profit whole of life and decreasing term assurance. term assurance and with profit savings. non profit whole of life and term assurance. unit linked protection and term assurance. 18. If the cash value of a unit linked protection policy today is 105,000 and the sum assured is 100,000, what amount is paid out if the life assured dies today? 5,000 95, , , Tom has a Section 72 policy on his own life for a sum assured of 150,000 to provide for his children s Inheritance Tax liability arising on his death. Following Tom s death his children s actual Inheritance Tax liability turns out to be just 100,000. The 50,000 cover NOT used to pay Inheritance Tax is: retained by the life company. paid out to the children, but they are taxed on it as another inheritance. paid over by Tom s estate to the Revenue. paid out to the children, less income 20%, and is then exempt from Inheritance Tax. 20. Joe is insured on a life policy for 100,000 life cover with 75,000 accelerated Serious Illness over. If Joe makes a serious illness claim, what life cover, if any, will he still have after the serious illness claim is paid out? None. 25,000 75, , LI/III/Io Page 23 of 39

24 QF Life ssurance Sample Examination Paper Term If Mary needs a fixed amount of whole of life cover at the lowest fixed premium, which of the following types of whole of life cover is the MOST suitable for her?. With profit.. Low ost.. Non profit.. Unit linked. 22. The deferred period under a Permanent Health Insurance (PHI) policy is:. a period at the start of the policy, during which cover does not apply.. the maximum period for which the benefit can be paid.. a period during which the policy does not have a surrender value.. a period during which the insured must be off work sick, before the benefit becomes payable. 23. ouble cover refers to the combination of which two covers within the one policy? Life and stand alone serious illness cover. Life and accelerated serious illness cover. ccelerated and stand alone serious illness cover. With profit and non profit whole of life cover. 24. lf has a policy with 100,000 life and 70,000 stand alone Serious Illness over. What is the MXIMUM amount which could be paid out by this policy? 70, , , , Jane has a serious illness term assurance policy, that provides cover at a fixed premium. Which of the following risks does Jane run with this policy? The life company could increase her premium if claims are higher than expected. The life company could remove certain illnesses from her cover, if the policy proves unprofitable. The life company could terminate her cover before the policy expires. She could get a serious illness which is not covered by the policy LI/III/Io Page 24 of 39

25 QF Life ssurance Sample Examination Paper Term John and Tom are 50:50 partners in a Solicitors practice. If the practice runs up debts which can t be repaid, who is legally responsible for these debts? The older of the two partners. John and Tom, equally. Whichever partner ran up the debt. John and Tom, to the extent of their partnership capital. 27. The legal document that regulates a company s relationship with its shareholders is called: a double option agreement. Memorandum of ssociation. rticles of ssociation. a special resolution. 28. The MIN financial benefit of orporate o irectors Insurance for shareholders, as compared with Partnership Insurance, is that: premiums are paid by the company and not by the shareholders personally. the company gets a corporate discount on the premiums. the cover required, and hence the cost, is lower. Section 785 policies can be used by the company, to reduce the cost. 29. Peter, Paul and Mary are three dentists in partnership. How is each taxed for Income Tax on their partnership earnings? Only on drawings taken from the partnership. On a mix of drawings taken and their share of the partnership profits. On the lower of their drawings or their share of the partnership profits. On their share of the partnership profits, whether drawn or not. 30. If there are five partners in a life of another Partnership Insurance arrangement, how many policies will be required? LI/III/Io Page 25 of 39

26 QF Life ssurance Sample Examination Paper Term atherine has taken out a life assurance savings plan for 100 per month. The plan has a non allocation period of four months and 105% allocation. How much will have been invested in units after the first three years of the Plan? 1, John wants to save regularly in a unit linked savings plan. If John wants to have a short break even point, what type of charging structure should his savings plan have? Front end. Layered. 2,520 3,360 Spread. Opaque. 3, Switches out of what type of unit linked fund can be delayed by the life company in certain circumstances by up to six months? Equity. Managed. ash. Property. 35. Harry is saving 150 each month in a unit linked savings plan, which invests in a Managed Fund. If the Managed Fund unit price falls sharply this month, the number of units allocated to Harry s plan next month will: increase. stay the same. decrease. become zero. 33. If a unit linked fund achieves an investment return in 2007 of 7.4% and its annual management charge is 1.2%, what is the fund s unit growth rate in 2007? 6.0% 6.2% 7.4% 8.6% 2008 LI/III/Io Page 26 of 39

27 QF Life ssurance Sample Examination Paper Term unit linked investment bond provides a loyalty bonus. When are loyalty bonus units added to the ond? Only on death. On encashment. fter a specified period of time. 39. Tim invested 100,000 in a life company Tracker ond which guaranteed a return after five years of 90% of the capital invested and 85% of the growth in the FTSE 100 Index over the term. If the Index grows over the term by 75%, what amount will Tim get back, assuming the ond matures in 2008? When additional amounts are invested. 141, wrapper unit linked investment bond provides the investor with what unique benefit? lower exit tax. personal investment portfolio. wide spread of investments. guaranteed return. 38. Paula is retired and has invested in a unit linked bond. She has opted to use the ond s automatic encashment facility to provide her with a regular fixed income. What is the MIN risk for Paula with this investment? She could end up paying higher rate income tax on the income. The life company could go bust. 147, , , If a unit linked bond has an allocation rate of 103% and a id/offer spread of 5%, what is the effective initial charge suffered by an investor in such a bond? 2.00% 2.15% 3.00% 5.00% She could die before getting back what she invested. The bond could eventually run out of money LI/III/Io Page 27 of 39

28 QF Life ssurance Sample Examination Paper Term Joint name unit linked investment bonds are usually arranged on what basis? Life of another. Joint life first death. Joint life last survivor. ual lives. 42. Most of the money invested in a Tracker ond is in turn invested by the financial institution issuing the ond in: options. fixed interest securities. stocks and shares. derivatives. 44. Sonia has an endowment mortgage on her apartment. What is the MIN financial risk for Sonia with this type of mortgage? The endowment plan might not pay off her mortgage in full. The value of her apartment could fall in value. Mortgage interest rates could rise. Tax relief on the premium could be reduced. 45. What is the MIN benefit to the consumer of a secondary market in with profit endowment savings plans? smoothed investment return. Faster payment of a death claim. better return, if cashed in early. 43. with profit bond that invests in a smoothed unit fund is what type of with profit? veraged. Greater disclosure of charges. iscounted. onventional. Unitised LI/III/Io Page 28 of 39

29 QF Life ssurance Sample Examination Paper Term n employee in pensionable employment can pay dditional Voluntary ontributions (Vs) to which of the following? PRS. uy Out ond. n pproved Retirement Fund (RF). Personal Pension Plan. 49. Joe is a member of his employer s Revenue approved occupational pension scheme. What MINIMUM period of service must Joe have by his Normal Retirement ge to be entitled to receive a tax free lump benefit of 150% x final remuneration from the scheme? What is the MIN difference between an pproved Minimum Retirement Fund (MRF) and an pproved Retirement Fund (RF) in relation to access to funds? You can t withdraw from the capital invested in an MRF before age 75. Withdrawals from an RF are tax free. Withdrawals from an MRF before age 75 are tax free. There is no access to funds invested in an RF athy has built up 100,000 in her Personal Retirement Savings ccount (PRS). If she dies today, to whom would this 100,000 be paid? The Pensions oard. Her next of kin. Her estate. The Revenue ommissioners. 48. Mark has 300,000 invested in his pproved Retirement Fund (RF) when he dies. If the RF money is left in Mark s Will to his daughter nna, who is aged 26, what tax, if any, will be deducted from the payout to nna? Nil. 60,000 69, , LI/III/Io Page 29 of 39

30 QF Life ssurance Sample Examination Paper Term John is a self employed doctor. He pays 40,000 to a Personal Retirement Savings ccount (PRS). He can, within certain limits, write this contribution off for: (i) Income Tax. (ii) Health Levy. (iii) PRSI. (i) only. 54. John has 63,500 funds from a maturing Personal Pension Plan which he has opted to use to buy an annuity. The annuity rate for the type of annuity John wants to buy is 5.40%. What annual annuity will John get? 2,546 3,429 (i) and (ii) only.. (i) and (iii) only. 5,400 11,759 (i), (ii) and (iii). 52. Jim has an pproved Retirement Fund (RF). From 2009 onwards, what rate of imputed distribution will apply, per annum, to his RF, for Income Tax purposes? 1% 2% 3% 5% 55. John invested 50,000 in a unit linked investment bond in January The ond provides a death benefit of 101% of the id value of units. John dies when the id Value of the investment bond is 58,000. What amount is paid out as a death benefit under the ond to John s estate? 58,500 58,000 56,740 56, Suzanne is receiving income from a ompulsory Purchase nnuity (P). How, if at all, is this income taxed in her hands? Fully liable to Income Tax. Fully tax free. Tax free up to 12,700 pa; with the balance liable to Income Tax. Liable to Income Tax up to 12,700 pa, with the balance being tax free LI/III/Io Page 30 of 39

31 QF Life ssurance Sample Examination Paper Term Mary invested 50,000 in a unit linked investment bond three years ago. The ond is now valued at 57,000, She wants to take a partial encashment of 5,000 from the ond. What amount will the life company pay out to her in respect of this partial encashment? 3,390 3,850 4,859 5, The principle of utmost good faith imposes what legal obligation on the proposer for a life assurance policy? Have an insurable interest in the life assured. isclose all known material facts before the policy is issued. Live a healthy lifestyle for as long as the policy is in force. Pay all premiums due on the policy. 58. When must a proposer for a life assurance policy have a valid insurable interest in the life assured? t all times during the policy. 59. Sean and Thomas own a building on a 50:50 basis, as tenants in common. If Sean dies, who takes over his share of the building? Thomas. The State. Sean s estate. Thomas and Sean s estate, equally. 60. Mark wants to arrange life cover on his own life for the benefit of Samantha, who is not married to him. If he dies, he wants Samantha to get the death benefit immediately. Which of the following is the EST way to arrange this policy? Samantha takes out the policy on Mark. Mark takes out the policy on his own life. Mark takes out the policy on Samantha. Mark takes out the policy on both himself and Samantha. Only at the date of completion of the proposal form. Only at the date of notification of a claim. Only at the date the policy is issued LI/III/Io Page 31 of 39

32 QF Life ssurance Sample Examination Paper Term Philip has arranged a life assurance policy on his own life, under a eclaration of Trust for the benefit of Mary. Who is the legal owner of this policy? Mary. The nominated trustee(s). Philip. The life company. 62. When does a life assurance policy legally come into force? On completion of the proposal form. On expiry of the ooling Off period. On issue of the policy and payment of the first premium. On issue of the policy specific isclosure Notice. 63. life company isclosure Notice for an investment bond shows projected values, based on a 6% pa investment return. If the life company wants to show a second higher set of projected values in the isclosure Notice, what annual investment return rate must it assume for this second projection? 4% 64. John contracted HIV from a blood transfusion in an Irish hospital some years ago. What is the MIN benefit for John of the State insurance scheme for certain persons with Hepatitis or HIV? life company can not impose an extra premium on him, if he proposes for life cover. He can get Serious Illness and Permanent Health Insurance cover at normal rates. life company can not ask him to undergo a medical examination, if he proposes for life cover. He can take out mortgage protection life cover at the same cost as if he did not have HIV. 65. If John wants to transfer legal ownership of his policy to his partner, Sue, what is the name of the form which John must complete? Proposal form. eed of Engagement. Letter of Wishes. eed of ssignment. 6% 7% 8% 2008 LI/III/Io Page 32 of 39

33 QF Life ssurance Sample Examination Paper Term n individual who dies without leaving a valid Will is said to have died: intestate. testate. without issue. probate. 67. The type of medical information sought by a life company when underwriting a life assurance proposal form does NOT vary by which of the following factors related to the life assured? ge. 68. Olwyn invested 50,000 in a Managed Fund, through a unit linked life assurance investment bond. Two weeks later she exercised her cooling off right, when the unit price had dropped 10% since the policy was issued. What is the legal MINIMUM amount the life company can now pay out to Olwyn? 45,000 50,000 55,000 60,000 Level of cover sought. Sex. Smoking status. 69. Which of the following questions can a life company NOT ask someone proposing for life cover? Have you taken a genetic test? o you smoke? re you HIV positive? What is your weight? 70. The requirement to explain to a consumer the consequences of failing to disclose all material facts, when proposing for life or serious illness cover, is a requirement laid down by: The onsumer Protection ode. The Life ssurance (Provision of Information) Regulations. The High ourt. The Financial Services Ombudsman LI/III/Io Page 33 of 39

34 QF Life ssurance Sample Examination Paper Term If a life assured has NOT supplied evidence of his date of birth to the life company, their records will describe his date of birth as: not proven. unreliable. rated. not admitted. 72. E Life ssurance o has just been informed by a Solicitor that Mary, who has a policy with E, has died. Within what MXIMUM number of business days must E issue a claim form in respect of this claim? Jim has a 100,000 term assurance policy with E Life ssurance o, at a monthly premium of 60. fter Jim s death, the life company found out that Jim was six years older than stated on the proposal form. Had he disclosed his correct age, his monthly premium would have been 100. What MINIMUM amount can the life company pay out on this claim? 40,000 60,000 80, , If an individual dies without leaving a valid Will and is survived by his wife and two children, what MINIMUM share of his estate is each of his two children legally entitled to? 1/6 th 1/3 rd ½ 2/3 rds 75. What is a codicil? bequest made under a Will. The Executor of a valid Will. n amendment to an existing Will. nother name for an invalid Will LI/III/Io Page 34 of 39

35 QF Life ssurance Sample Examination Paper Term redit Union Nomination for the direct payment of funds after death to nominated individuals, is valid up to a limit of : 10,000 12, The Financial Regulator s onsumer Protection ode requires that an advertisement for a deposit must show which of the following alongside the relevant interest rate quoted? nnual Percentage Rate (PR). 15,000 23,000 Internal Rate of Return (IRR). Reduction in Yield (RIY). 77. n investor is offered 20,000 after 10 years in return for a payment of 5,000 now and another 5,000 after 2 years. What is the net present value of this investment proposition, at a discount rate of 5% pa? 2,745 9,535 10,000 nnual Equivalent Rate (ER). 80. Expressing in today s terms the value of a sum of money payable in the future is referred to as: ccumulating. veraging. Presenting. iscounting. 12, If the onsumer Price Index (PI) one year ago was and today it is 109.7, what has been the annual rate of inflation over the past year? 2.3% 3.9% 4.1% 9.7% 2008 LI/III/Io Page 35 of 39

36 QF Life ssurance Sample Examination Paper Term ccumulation of 1,000 fter (Yrs) 3% pa 5% pa 7.5% pa 1 1,030 1,050 1, ,061 1,103 1, ,093 1,158 1, ,126 1,216 1, ,159 1,276 1, ,194 1,340 1, ,230 1,407 1, ,267 1,477 1, ,305 1,551 1, ,344 1,629 2, ,384 1,710 2, ,426 1,796 2, ,469 1,886 2, ,513 1,980 2, ,558 2,079 2, ,605 2,183 3, ,653 2,292 3, ,702 2,407 3, ,754 2,527 3, ,806 2,653 4, ,860 2,786 4, ,916 2,925 4, ,974 3,072 5, ,033 3,225 5, ,094 3,386 6,098 iscounted value of 1,000 Payable in (Yrs) 3% pa 5% pa 7.5% pa LI/III/Io Page 36 of 39

37 QF Life ssurance Sample Examination Paper Term Earnings Factors. 2007: : Indexation nnual tax relief limit on personal contributions to all pension arrangements in 2008 ge attained during 2008 Tax relief limit ( as % of net relevant earnings) in 2008 Under 30 15% 30 to 39 20% 40 to 49 25% 50 to 54 30%* 55 to 59 35% 60 and over 40% * the 30% limit also applies to certain professional sportspeople under age 50 in 2008, in relation to their income from their professional sports occupation LI/III/Io Page 37 of 39

38 QF - Life ssurance Sample Examination Paper September nswers Question No nswer Question No nswer LI/III/Io Page 38 of 39

39 QF - Life ssurance Sample Examination Paper September nswers Question No nswer LI/III/Io Page 39 of 39