Hiring and Sponsoring Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants (SOC Code 4132)

Pensions and Insurance Clerks and Assistants, classified under SOC Code 4132, are essential administrative professionals who support the pensions and insurance sectors by facilitating effective communication and processing. Their roles include:

• Client Interaction: Answers queries from clients and assists in interpreting and completing information requested on forms.
• Form Verification: Checks forms completed by clients and contacts clients to obtain additional information or to clarify details.
• Appointment Coordination: Makes arrangements for financial advisers to visit clients and potential customers.
• Data Management: Transfers information from application forms and other documentation to computerized records.
• File Maintenance: Receives notice of changes to personal circumstances and updates files accordingly.
• Documentation Issuance: Issues application forms, policy documents, reminders, claims forms, and other standard documentation.
• Administrative Support: Performs general clerical duties to support senior staff.

With the growing complexity of financial services and a robust regulatory environment, the demand for skilled pensions and insurance clerks and assistants is on the rise. This guide will assist HR professionals in understanding the recruitment and sponsorship landscape for these vital roles under the UK’s immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants?

SOC Code 4132 refers to pensions and insurance clerks and assistants who play a vital role in supporting clients and ensuring accurate processing of insurance and pension-related documents. Their responsibilities can include:

• Answering client queries: Addressing questions and providing assistance in interpreting and completing forms.
• Reviewing completed forms: Checking forms submitted by clients and reaching out to them for additional information or clarification.
• Coordinating with financial advisers: Arranging visits for financial advisers to meet with clients and potential customers.
• Data entry: Transferring information from applications and other documentation into computerized records.
• Updating client files: Receiving notifications of changes in personal circumstances and updating corresponding files accordingly.
• Issuing documentation: Providing application forms, policy documents, reminders, claims forms, and other standard materials.
• Supporting senior staff: Performing general clerical duties to aid senior personnel in their functions.

Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants are essential in ensuring efficient operations within financial services, helping to uphold client trust and providing vital administrative support.

Eligibility to Hire Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Pensions and Insurance Clerks and Assistants must demonstrate a strong administrative background and meet specific skills and qualifications. These may include:

• Client Interaction: Ability to effectively answer queries from clients and assist in interpreting and completing required information on forms.
• Form Verification: Skills in checking completed forms by clients and contacting them to obtain additional information or clarify details.
• Scheduling Appointments: Experience in making arrangements for financial advisers to visit clients and potential customers.
• Data Entry: Proficiency in transferring information from application forms and other documentation to computerized records accurately.
• File Management: Strong organizational skills to receive and process notices of changes to personal circumstances, ensuring timely updates to files.
• Document Handling: Experience in issuing application forms, policy documents, reminders, claims forms, and other standard documentation as needed.
• Clerical Support: Capability to perform general clerical duties to support senior staff effectively.

Ensure the job description aligns with SOC Code 4132 and that the candidate's experience and skills meet the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants under SOC Code 4132.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants

Before the Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Pensions and insurance clerks and assistantss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants

Sponsoring Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants under SOC Code 4132 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Pensions and insurance clerks and assistants under SOC Code 4132 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.