Is ST8 feasible if my day job’s pensions?

[Mike Connor]

Hi, I’m trying to decide on my 2nd ST (having done ST4 already). From scanning syllabi and past exams, ST8 looks to be the most interesting. But would it be too difficult a hurdle given I’m up against people who do general insurance for their day job?
I really don’t want to do another subject that I find ‘boring’, so quite fancy ST8; but I’d have to justify an unusual choice of general insurance material to my employer...

Thanks in advance!

 

[bystander]

Firstly any subject is possible to pass without practical experience although some day to day insight is always helpful. On the flip side, sometimes if you work in an area you can become tunnel visioned in answering questions and fail to score the 'obvious easier' marks available in an exam or go overboard in depth that is unnecessary and fail. So yes there's some disadvantage but it's not insurmountable.
Furthermore if you are interested in what you are studying that's helpful, because your curiosity drives you on.
Now to the question of the employer. If they are funding you then yes they might raise an eyebrow or two with your request. But you've already sat the most relevant one. What do you intend to do as specialism/SA in current parlance. If that's pensions then I don't think they will object too strongly what your other ST is.
Which ST do they 'expect' you to get? how genuinely relevant to your future is it? If it's not that relevant you shouldn't expect a strong pushback. That said you don't want to say I want st8 because actually I'm looking to switch employer!
Ultimately I doubt there's anything in your employment contract to dictate what you sit and if you can afford it, to appease them you could offer to self fund some or all of the course or exam fee. Note I'd only do that if its your last exam and don't use it as a threat or opening gambit.
Be open with your concerns and have a good discussion. And if you can find bits of st8 where you can apply to your pensions work, that can help. They might surprise you and just say fine and not enquire further.

 

[tiger]

as bystander mentions, you need to be looking a step ahead both in terms of what SA you plan to do & what direction you want to go with your career.
e.g. I did SA3; both ST7 and ST8 are assumed reading for SA3.

 

[Infinity]

i passed st7, st8 and SA3 in the last couple of years. There are some chapters of ST7 and ST8 which are identical and a lot of the material is usefuly for SA3, so i think to get the full benefit you Need to take all of them... you'll get some Basic introduction to non life pricing if you just do st8 alone and there is nothing too complicated in there that you wouldn't understand. There is some followup from ct6 required so if you didn't like that course, then perhaps avoid st8. But with this new chartered actuary qualification, is there any Point in taking any of the specialist exams?

 

[bystander]

Chartered actuary just a proposal for now. Wouldn't hold off for that. FIA still top qualification

 

[Infinity]

Bystander - yes you’re right it is just a proposal but if you watched the webinar on Monday, they plan to introduce it with curriculum 2019. That means there will be very little notice if any at all. There would be no benefit in becoming a fellow. In every European country, the qualification is significantly easier and shorter, there is no need to become a fellow unless employers continue to impose requirements on students to complete the qualification to fellowship. The fellowship is only required for certain specific and specialized roles. Therefore my advice would be to concentrate on your career and life before you get stuck on the ST and SA exams for several years and find that they were not really necessary for your job.